Wizards of the Coast releases Magic cards in base sets and expansions. Base sets typically contain more than 300 cards. Expansion sets are usually smaller than 200 cards and are printed in limited supply. They expand the game by adding new cards.
Base sets
Alpha (1993)
Beta (1993)
Unlimited (1993)
Revised (1994)
Fourth Edition (1995)
Fifth Edition (1997)
Sixth Edition or Classic Edition (1999)
Seventh Edition (2001)
Eighth Edition (2003)
Expansions
Arabian Nights (1994)
Antiquities (1994)
Legends (1994)
The Dark (1994)
Fallen Empires (1994)
Chronicles1 (1995)
Ice Age Block
Ice Age (1995)
Homelands (1995)
Alliances (1996)
Mirage Block
Mirage (1996)
Visions (1997)
Weatherlight (1997)
Tempest Block
Tempest (1997)
Stronghold (1998)
Exodus (1998)
Unglued2 (1998)
Urza Block
Urza's Saga (1998)
Urza's Legacy (1999)
Urza's Destiny (1999)
Masques Block
Mercadian Masques (1999)
Nemesis (2000)
Prophecy (2000)
Invasion Block
Invasion (2000)
Planeshift (2001)
Apocalypse (2001)
Odyssey Block
Odyssey (2001)
Torment (2002)
Judgment (2002)
Onslaught Block
Onslaught (2002)
Legions (2003)
Scourge (2003)
Mirrodin Block
Mirrodin (2003)
Darksteel (2004)
Fifth Dawn (mid 2004, forthcoming)
1Chronicles, an expansion-sized set released in 1995 between Ice Age and Homelands, reprinted many previous cards that were becoming difficult to obtain but added no new cards to the game; it is not considered part of the Ice Age block.
