To tell if a Magic: The Gathering card is rare, look at the set symbol located on the bottom right of the card: a gold colored symbol indicates a rare card, while black is common, silver is uncommon, and orange is mythic rare; you can also check the bottom left corner of newer sets where a letter “R” signifies rare
Magic: The Gathering cards have different rarity levels. These levels affect how often you find each card, what it might cost, and how it performs in the game. Here are the main rarity levels:
- Common (C)
- Common cards appear most often in booster packs.
- They are often the backbone of many decks.
- Uncommon (U)
- These cards are harder to find than commons.
- They tend to have more focused abilities.
- Rare (R)
- Rare cards are less common than uncommons.
- They often have powerful or unique effects.
- Mythic Rare (M)
- Mythic rares are the hardest to find.
- They usually have game-changing abilities or are special characters like planeswalkers.
Identifying a Card’s Rarity
Look at the expansion symbol on the right side of the card, near the illustration. The symbol’s color shows the card’s rarity:
- Black or White: Common
- Silver: Uncommon
- Gold: Rare
- Red-Orange: Mythic Rare
Cards from before 1998 might not have colored expansion symbols. In that case, you may need to check an online list or database to confirm rarity.
Additional Indicators of Rarity
Many cards also show their rarity in the bottom-left corner. You might see a small letter next to the card’s collector number:
- C = Common
- U = Uncommon
- R = Rare
- M = Mythic Rare
This helps confirm rarity when the set uses unusual symbol colors.
Special Rarities and Foil Cards
Some sets have special rarities, labeled with an “S” instead of a letter. Foil cards can also appear at any rarity level. Foils have a shiny finish but are otherwise the same as normal cards. Collectors often value foils more because they are less common and look different.
Rarity Distribution in Booster Packs
Typical booster packs have:
- Around 10 commons
- 3 uncommons
- 1 rare or mythic rare (mythic rares show up about 1 in every 8 packs)
This helps explain why certain cards are more expensive or harder to find. Some packs include an additional foil style card which could be in any rarity. So those packs could have two rares, or even potentially two mythics – of course those odds are vanishingly small.
Significance of Rarity in Gameplay and Collecting
Rarer cards often have strong abilities, but you don’t need them all to build a good deck. Common and uncommon cards can form a solid base. From a collector’s view, rares and mythic rares usually have higher value. People also value them for unique artwork or special game effects.
Consulting Online Resources
If you’re unsure about a card’s rarity, you can check official databases like Gatherer or other sites like Scryfall. These websites show each card’s rarity, set, and more. They are especially helpful for older cards without colored symbols.
Conclusion
Magic: The Gathering rarity is easy to spot if you know where to look. Check the expansion symbol and the letter in the card’s corner. Knowing a card’s rarity can guide you when building a deck or collecting. But remember that every card matters. Commons and uncommons can be just as important for a strong and fun deck.
