MTG Card Rarity Explained: Understanding the System

Understanding Magic: The Gathering card rarity is essential for both players and collectors. Rarity affects card availability, power level, and value. This guide explains the rarity system and how it impacts the game.

The Rarity System

Magic cards come in four main rarities:

1. Common (black set symbol)
2. Uncommon (silver set symbol)
3. Rare (gold set symbol)
4. Mythic Rare (orange/red set symbol)

Common Cards

Characteristics

• Set symbol: Black
• Print frequency: Most common in packs
• Power level: Usually lower
• Complexity: Simpler effects
• Value: Typically low ($0.01-0.50)

Purpose

Commons serve as:

• Deck foundation - Basic cards for decks
• Limited format - Core of draft/sealed
• Learning tools - Simpler cards for beginners
• Filler - Fill out sets and themes

Examples

• Basic lands
• Simple creatures
• Basic removal spells
• Utility cards

Uncommon Cards

Characteristics

• Set symbol: Silver
• Print frequency: Less common than commons
• Power level: Moderate
• Complexity: More complex than commons
• Value: Low to moderate ($0.10-5.00)

Purpose

Uncommons provide:

• Deck support - Important role players
• Limited power - Stronger than commons
• Theme support - Support set themes
• Versatility - Useful in multiple decks

Examples

• Efficient creatures
• Good removal spells
• Utility effects
• Synergy cards

Rare Cards

Characteristics

• Set symbol: Gold
• Print frequency: One per pack (usually)
• Power level: High
• Complexity: Often complex
• Value: Moderate to high ($1-100+)

Purpose

Rares offer:

• Powerful effects - Strong abilities
• Build-arounds - Cards to build decks around
• Format staples - See play in multiple formats
• Collection value - Higher monetary value

Examples

• Powerful creatures
• Strong planeswalkers
• Efficient removal
• Format-defining cards

Mythic Rare Cards

Characteristics

• Set symbol: Orange/red
• Print frequency: ~1 in 8 packs
• Power level: Very high (usually)
• Complexity: Often very complex
• Value: High to very high ($5-1000+)

Purpose

Mythic rares provide:

• Ultimate power - Most powerful effects
• Iconic cards - Memorable and exciting
• Collection chase - Cards to collect
• Format impact - Often format-defining

Examples

• Planeswalkers
• Legendary creatures
• Powerful spells
• Unique effects

Rarity Distribution

In Booster Packs

Standard booster (15 cards):

• 10 Commons
• 3 Uncommons
• 1 Rare or Mythic Rare
• 1 Basic Land (or special card)

Mythic rare rate: Approximately 1 in 8 packs

In Sets

Typical set (250-300 cards):

• ~100-120 Commons
• ~80-100 Uncommons
• ~50-60 Rares
• ~15-20 Mythic Rares

How Rarity Affects Gameplay

Power Level

Generally:

• Commons: Lower power, simpler
• Uncommons: Moderate power
• Rares: High power
• Mythic Rares: Very high power

Note: Not always true - some commons are powerful, some rares are weak.

Complexity

• Commons: Simple, easy to understand
• Uncommons: More complex
• Rares: Often complex
• Mythic Rares: Can be very complex

Availability

• Commons: Easy to get, many copies
• Uncommons: Moderately available
• Rares: Less available, need to open or buy
• Mythic Rares: Hard to get, expensive

Rarity and Value

Factors Affecting Value

• Rarity - Rarer = more valuable (usually)
• Playability - Used in decks = more valuable
• Format - Format staples = more valuable
• Condition - Better condition = more valuable
• Age - Older cards often more valuable
• Demand - High demand = higher price

Common Value Range

• Commons: $0.01-0.50 (most under $0.10)
• Uncommons: $0.10-5.00 (most under $1)
• Rares: $1-100+ (varies greatly)
• Mythic Rares: $5-1000+ (varies greatly)

Exceptions

Some commons/uncommons are valuable:

• Old cards - Early sets
• Format staples - Heavily played
• Special printings - Promos, foils
• Playable in multiple formats - High demand

Special Rarity Indicators

Foil Cards

• Any rarity can be foil
• Foil rare/mythic - Usually more valuable
• Foil common - Slight premium
• Pack foil rate - ~1 in 6 packs

Promotional Cards

• Prerelease promos - Special versions
• Buy-a-box promos - Store promotions
• Judge promos - Tournament rewards
• Secret Lair - Special printings

Borderless/Showcase

• Special frames - Alternate art versions
• Usually rare/mythic - Higher rarity cards
• Collectible - Often more valuable
• Aesthetic appeal - Visual appeal

Rarity in Different Formats

Limited (Draft/Sealed)

• Commons - Core of your deck
• Uncommons - Important role players
• Rares/Mythics - Powerful but not guaranteed
• Strategy - Build around what you open

Standard

• Mix of rarities - All rarities see play
• Rares/Mythics - Often format-defining
• Commons/Uncommons - Important support
• Cost - Rares/mythics drive deck cost

Modern

• Mix of rarities - All rarities represented
• Rares/Mythics - Many format staples
• Commons - Some very valuable (Lightning Bolt)
• Cost - Can be expensive

EDH/Commander

• Mix of rarities - All rarities used
• Rares/Mythics - Many commanders and staples
• Commons - Important utility cards
• Cost - Varies greatly by deck

Rarity and Custom Cards

Choosing Rarity for Custom Cards

Consider:

• Power level - Match rarity to power
• Complexity - More complex = higher rarity
• Uniqueness - Unique effects = higher rarity
• Theme - Match set's rarity distribution

Rarity Indicators

When creating custom cards:

• Set symbol color - Indicates rarity
• Holofoil stamp - On rares/mythics (M15+)
• Frame treatment - Special frames for rares
• Power level - Should match rarity

Collecting by Rarity

Common Collections

• Easy to complete - Many copies available
• Low cost - Very affordable
• Foundation - Start of collection
• Limited value - Usually low value

Uncommon Collections

• Moderate difficulty - Some harder to find
• Low to moderate cost - Affordable
• Support cards - Important for decks
• Moderate value - Some valuable

Rare Collections

• More difficult - Fewer copies per set
• Higher cost - More expensive
• Powerful cards - Format staples
• Higher value - Many valuable cards

Mythic Rare Collections

• Very difficult - Hardest to collect
• Highest cost - Most expensive
• Most powerful - Format-defining cards
• Highest value - Often very valuable

Understanding Set Symbols

Symbol Colors

• Black - Common
• Silver - Uncommon
• Gold - Rare
• Orange/Red - Mythic Rare

Symbol Styles

• Varies by set - Each set has unique symbol
• Thematic - Matches set theme
• Recognizable - Easy to identify set
• Collectible - Part of card identity

Rarity and Game Balance

Design Philosophy

Wizards uses rarity to:

• Control power - Limit powerful cards
• Create excitement - Rares feel special
• Balance limited - Commons/uncommons core
• Drive collecting - Rares encourage opening packs

Power vs. Rarity

Not always correlated:

• Some commons are very powerful
• Some rares are weak
• Complexity often matches rarity
• Uniqueness often matches rarity

Conclusion

Understanding Magic: The Gathering card rarity helps you make informed decisions about collecting, deck building, and card evaluation. Rarity affects availability, power level, complexity, and value, but it's not the only factor to consider.

When creating custom cards with TCGCustom, choose appropriate rarity based on power level, complexity, and uniqueness. Match your custom cards' rarity to their power level to maintain game balance and authenticity.

Whether you're collecting, playing, or creating custom cards, understanding rarity enhances your Magic: The Gathering experience. Use rarity as a guide, but remember that playability and personal preference matter just as much.