Remembering Fourth Edition

Today I reflect on Fourth Edition.

Fourth Edition was released in April 1995. It was the tenth set released for the game and the fifth core set.

The first three core sets (Alpha, Beta, Unlimited) were released in 1993, were extremely similar, and featured about 300 cards. Revised (1994) also had about 300 cards, but started to look a little different (89% were from prior core sets but it also reprinted cards from two expansions). Then came Fourth Edition.

Fourth Edition had 378 cards. The focus was still cards from prior core sets, but now only about 66% were from those; it drew more cards from more expansions:

- 258 were reprints from prior core sets (note: this counts the multiple printings of basic lands)

- 10 from Arabian Nights 

- 23 from Antiquities 

- 55 from Legends

- 32 from The Dark

Fifth Edition would be released two years later (1997). It was huge (460 cards) and had notable rules, wording, and artwork changes. I thus view Fourth Edition as the last "original" core set in the game—a turning point that signified changes on the horizon but still had the essence of the original release. (I analyze those early core sets in more detail here.)

The set hasn't maintained a lot of value . . . only eight cards clock in at over $10 today:

- Mana Vault ($89)

- Sylvan Library ($30)

- Land Tax ($26)

- Strip Mine ($21)

- Armageddon ($19)

- Birds of Paradise ($15)

- Winter Orb ($15)

- Stasis ($12)

My main memories of this set was . . . the game itself. The art, the rules, the world . . . this set was my entry into Magic. Below are a few cards that hold a special place in my heart, whether or not they are good (then or now).

Until next time, keep exploring.