Unraveling the Mystery: What Rarity is Purple in MTG?
In the vast and intricate world of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), card rarity plays a crucial role in both gameplay and collectibility. While most players are familiar with common, uncommon, rare, and mythic rare distinctions, a less frequently encountered symbol often sparks curiosity: the purple expansion symbol. So, to answer directly, the purple symbol in MTG indicates a special rarity, typically reserved for cards that are rarer than the set’s standard rare cards. It signifies a card that is exceptionally difficult to pull from booster packs and often has significant value. This rarity was first introduced with the Time Spiral® “timeshifted” cards, making them highly sought after by collectors and players alike.
The Significance of Card Rarity in MTG
Before delving deeper into the purple rarity, it’s essential to understand the fundamental role of rarity in MTG. The rarity of a card dictates how frequently it appears in booster packs, which, in turn, affects its accessibility, value, and impact on the game. Here’s a quick overview of the commonly used rarities:
- Common (Black Symbol): These are the most abundant cards in a set, easily obtainable and generally less impactful in high-level play. They form the backbone of most decks but are not usually of great individual value.
- Uncommon (Silver Symbol): These cards appear less often than commons and are often key components in synergistic strategies. They generally have more power than common cards.
- Rare (Gold Symbol): These are more difficult to pull from boosters than uncommons and often feature strong abilities and significant impact on the game. They are sought after and have a greater market value.
- Mythic Rare (Red-Orange/Bronze Symbol): The rarest of the standard rarities, mythic rares often have groundbreaking mechanics and powerful game-altering effects. They are highly valuable and coveted by collectors and players alike.
- Basic Lands (Black or White Symbol): While technically common in terms of appearance, basic lands often have their own ‘L’ marking, signifying they are available freely and are needed to play the game.
The Enigmatic Purple Symbol: A Rarity Beyond the Ordinary
The purple symbol, while not a standard rarity in every set, represents something truly special. It is used to indicate cards that are even rarer than rare cards. The introduction of this rarity during the Time Spiral set made those “timeshifted” cards more scarce than the already-difficult to-find rares of that set. This purple rarity signifies something more akin to a “special” or “bonus” card, outside the normal rarity structure. It is not to be confused with the concept of “epic” rarity used in other games.
Why Purple Isn’t Used Regularly
The rarity system of MTG is carefully balanced, and adding a sixth color would overcomplicate that structure. Unlike other trading card games, which may use a more elaborate set of colors or rarities, MTG’s system was designed to keep the mechanics relatively consistent. Therefore, using purple only for truly exceptional cases maintains the uniqueness and value of such cards.
How Purple Fits Into the Broader MTG Rarity Landscape
It’s important to distinguish the purple expansion symbol from other types of rarities like foil cards, secret rares, or other special printings. Foil cards, for instance, will still maintain the colored symbol that corresponds to the regular non-foil version. They do not get a special foiling that overrides their standard rarity. Similarly, secret rares have specific visual indicators such as holographic text on the card name and a diagonal holofoil pattern on the artwork, not a new color of rarity.
Frequently Asked Questions About MTG Rarity and the Purple Symbol
Here are some frequently asked questions that help provide more context regarding MTG rarities, especially the elusive purple symbol:
What color is considered rare in Magic: The Gathering?
Gold is the color of the symbol used for rare cards in MTG. It indicates that the card is more difficult to obtain from booster packs compared to common and uncommon cards.
What are the official Magic: The Gathering rarity levels?
The official rarities in Magic: The Gathering are: Common (C), Uncommon (U), Rare (R), and Mythic Rare (M or MR). Basic lands, special cards, and tokens have their own rarities denoted with L, S, and T respectively.
Is purple a true color of the rainbow?
Purple is not a spectral color as it is not in the light spectrum like the colors of the rainbow. It is a color mixture created when red and blue light are combined. The actual spectral color in that range is violet.
What does the “S” signify in MTG rarity?
The letter “S” in the card’s rarity marking stands for Special rarity. Cards with this rarity are treated like common cards but are often tied to unique game mechanics and can often be used even if not drafted in limited formats.
What is considered the strongest color in MTG?
Blue is widely regarded as the strongest color in Magic: The Gathering, primarily due to its ability to manipulate and draw cards. This advantage has made it dominant in competitive play across various formats.
Is white the weakest color in MTG?
While no color is inherently “weak,” white is often considered to be the least powerful color overall in MTG compared to other colors like blue. However, this depends on the specific format and card pool.
Are there only five colors in MTG?
Yes, there are only five colors in Magic: The Gathering: white, blue, black, red, and green. An object can have one or more of these colors or be colorless.
Does purple represent the highest rarity in MTG?
While purple is a special rarity, mythic rare is the standard highest rarity in MTG sets. Purple signifies cards that were rarer than the standard rare of a given set, but not all are always more valuable than all mythic rares.
What is meant by “Secret Rare” rarity in MTG?
“Secret Rare” refers to a special type of card. They have specific visual indicators including a silver holographic text on their name, and a diagonal holographic pattern in the card’s artwork. It does not refer to another color or rank of rarity.
What does the letter “R” mean for card rarity?
The letter “R” denotes that a card has rare rarity. These cards are more scarce than common or uncommon cards, and are usually more powerful.
What is the rarest Magic: The Gathering card?
The Black Lotus is considered the rarest and most valuable MTG card due to its power and limited print run. It is one of the most sought-after cards by collectors.
What are the typical rarity colors in games?
The typical rarity colors in games, often used in RPGs, are: white/grey = common, green = uncommon, blue = rare, purple = very rare/mythical, and orange = legendary. MTG uses a slightly different system, but the general concept is the same.
What does rarity “L” mean in MTG?
The “L” denotes a basic land rarity. Basic lands are considered separate from the normal rarity cycle and are available to players.
Is there a “forbidden color” in MTG?
There are no “forbidden colors” in MTG’s color system itself. The term “forbidden colors” refers to colors that our eyes can’t perceive because our cones process them antagonistically such as “red-green” or “yellow-blue”.
How does the purple symbol affect a card’s value?
Cards with a purple symbol generally have a higher monetary value than standard rares because of their scarcity and collectibility. They are frequently sought after by collectors and players alike.
Final Thoughts
The purple symbol in MTG is a fascinating anomaly that highlights the game’s rich history and dedication to creating unique and memorable experiences. While it may not be a standard part of the rarity system, it represents a special tier of cards that command respect and value. Understanding the significance of this symbol not only enriches one’s understanding of MTG’s card mechanics, but also enhances appreciation for the intricacies of collectibility within the game.