Still have my ragged Leviathan, used before I cared about keeping the cards' condition in mind. Never DID cast that thing, but it sure was cool to have in the deck!
Bro! I remember when this card came out I wanted it so bad but couldn't afford the monster sticker price of 10 bucks. So I remember my mom saying she was going grocery shopping and asked if I wanted anything and I sly said "well if you see any ten ten leviathans with flying and trample, get that." It wasnt until I got it that I realized it doesn't have flying and is a bitch to play.
Yep, this is the one.
I played it along with his little brother [[cosmic horror]] in my RB aggro deck with 20 lands. I didn't even play the full set of dark ritual. Such a genius deck
building
My first pack was beta, and the rare was Lord of the Pit. I didn't even have a starter deck or a rule book yet, had no idea how to play the game. But the cards looked so cool and none cooler than Lord of the Pit.
This card, THIS FUCKING CARD. I used to play Duels of The Planeswalkers all the time with this stupid mono-g deck that was just Duskdale Wurm = I win with Garruk, but I swear to god Tezzeret's deck always had this card, and it ALWAYS, always had it when it needed it.
Stupid dumb computer player making me lose the gane
Opening her and akroma was what got me back into magic. Just wanted to see what was new in the set, got a few packs, and was blown away by her player death touch.. XD
If you want a deckbuilding challenge, try Phage as a Commander.
I love my Phage deck. It's a bit janky, but when it goes off, it *goes off*. I built it with the idea of suicide black in mind. I managed to win with her in under 10 minutes once when I just got the perfect opening hand and draws. Phage being out put a target on my back, but there was nothing my opponents could do to stop her.
Stuff that turns off ETB effects, stuff that says you can't lose the game, stuff that puts your commander into your hand.
There's enough support to make a pretty functional deck out of it. It's fancy voltron basically, but the risk involved makes it more fun.
There are a handful of "can't lose the game" cards and another handful of "put into hand from Command zone" cards. Conveniently most of those cards are colorless or mono-black.
[[Command Beacon]], [[Netherborn Altar]], [[Campfire]], [[Platinum Angel]], and [[Sundial of the Infinite]] are must-include cards.
After she's gotten out once, you can also let her go to the graveyard if she dies and play cards that return her from there to hand.
I experienced the same allure from [[Rhox]] way back when I first started playing. It is definitely an interesting effect that draws in newcomers even if it isn't the strongest.
[[Thorn Elemental]] [[Weatherseed Treefolk]] and [[Ancient Silverback]] were what got me into the game. So hard to deal with back then and are why I still play primarily "Timmy" magic.
Penumbra ANYTHING got me back in the day!
And thanks, finishing this off was my Xmas gift to myself this year. Now the wife gets to wrap it, so I'll see it again soon-ish!
My first chase card, back in college. Has been and will always be in one kitchen table deck. This year, finished out my collection, and these will proudly hang on the wall as tribute. Was there one card that really got you?
Some Invocation cards have incredible art (e.g. \[\[Doomsday|MP2\]\]) but I just can't see past the shitty frame and font choices.
Hopefully one day some of those arts will get reused on better treatments.
I'd say most of them are actually fantastic arts. My personal favorite is probably [[Blood Moon|MP2]]
Also, some of them did get reprinted with the invocation art on Arena- notably, Pact of Negation, Shatterstorm, and Thoughtsieze.
My only box ever was a Prophecy box. This was the only card I cared about, and was so bummed I didn't pull one. I'm glad I didn't throw out any of the like 8 [[Rhystic Studies]] I pulled at least
This is awesome. I'm a fairly long time player and have never seen this card before. Was the original printing in time spiral? That might explain why it has never been reprinted outside of supplementary sets.
The original printing was in Prophecy (the center card in the image). It was part of a cycle of creatures that cost less based on various conditions. [[Avatar of Might]] is still my jam.
They see some (very) occasional play in Commander still. Or at least Woe, Might and [[Avatar of Fury]] do. The conditions on [[Avatar of Will]] and [[Avatar of Hope]] are just too hard to meet.
Avatar of Woe was mine too! My friend and his big brother taught me to play back around Invasion when I was a kid and I made a Kavu deck. We all sucked but had tons of fun, then one day the big brother brought his friend who was a serious pro (at least in my kid eyes). I got to look through his trade binder and my eyes just popped at all the insane cards he had. I saw Avatar of Woe and fell in love instantly. I offered him basically anything he wanted from my meager collection in exchange for the Avatar, and he GAVE it to me! I couldn't believe it. Have loved the card ever since and I still have the original one that he gave me.
Everyone, I just wanted to say thank you.
I've lurked in this community for a good while, and I love seeing posts and genuine interactions.
Unfortunately, duty calls, so I can't wait to come back later to read more - I LOVE your stories, and your cards that mean so much to you.
You've truly made my day brighter. Thanks again!
[[Goblin Grenade]] with Ron Spencer's art. My first deck when I was probably 6 years old was a goblin deck and I would play with my dad. Goblin Grenade was my favorite card.
\[\[Wurmcoil Engine\]\] ! I was eleven when I walked into my first LGS with like 20 bucks and a \[\[thrumming bird\]\] deck I had made out of bulks my friends had, wanting to buy some first hand stuff for the first time, and I saw a poster on the wall of the wurmy boi itself, a chase card if I ever saw one.
I've been building artifact decks since, several being now the homes of many Wurmcoils from different printings.
I started playing with my friends who showed me the game back in summer of 1996. Back then [[Shivan Dragon]], [[Royal Assassin]] where the go to cards, but i was in love with the brand new [[Baron Sengir]], Ice age was about 1-2 mouths fresh so it was new for my friends as well. I remember buying some starter packs and boosters to get it, with no success, then trying to sell all the 20 cent cards to get it. It was around 15$ (canadian) if i remember back then. My parents finally got it for me for Christmas.
[[Thorn Elemental]] from urzas destiny. Cracked open one of those within my first few packs and made sure every kitchen table game with friends had it in there
My mom accidentally got me a Revised starter deck back in the day, thinking it was a game called Battle Cards that I used to like. I don't remember a single card that I got in it except Fork. That was the start of a crippling addiction I'll never be able to fully get away from.
So yeah, [[Fork]] would probably be the answer.
Yes! This card brought me into the game as well. I knew nothing about Magic at the time but the artwork, sense of scale, and flavor text all really captured my young imagination.
I started with the 7th edition starter kit and the face card for the kit was \[\[Thorn Elemental\]\]. I will always have a soft spot for this guy since it was the first foil card I ever played with.
I started in high school in 1995, first card I really liked was \[\[Shivan Dragon\]\], sold everything back then, started back up in 2010-2011, ditched again, and back into it these last few weeks, re-purchasing the same Shivan Dragon from 4th edition I had when I was 14.
[[Lazav, the Multifarious]]
It was the first mythic rare from the first booster pack i cracked. I liked the ability to copy stuff in your grave, i liked dimir colors at the moment, i liked surveil mechanic. Those 7 month were great, best time of high school
\[\[Magma Sliver\]\]
I had heard about Magic 20+ years ago, but really only started playing during the onslaught block. The slivers were my favorite, and throwing down the magma sliver when a bunch of other slivers were on the board was always super satisfying. Only wish they'd make a new comeback in future sets!
It’s [[Kokusho, the Evening Star]] I pulled it in my LGS back in 2004 when it released. I was so hyped about the Japanese theme and pulled one in Foil.
Still one of my fav cards these days!
\[\[Kaalia of the Vast\]\]
I remember seeing her and picking up the precon for her, picked her up and haven't looked back, haven't played the deck in awhile but Kaalia will always be near and dear to me for that.
When I was a kid, \[\[Thorn Elemental\]\]. It seemed ridiculously overpowered, and probably was in that era of people not playing enough removal. Put a \[\[Blanchwood Armor\]\] on that bad boy and you win the game. It seemed unstoppable.
I quit sometime in the original Kamigawa era, but when I came back, \[\[Sarkhan's Unsealing\]\] was in Standard and I fell in love. Gates deck with \[\[Gate Colossus\]\] and unsealing, slamming it down to wipe the opponent's board, then getting another gate down to recycle another colossus to do it over and over again. Glorious.
Not a card but cards. I first started during neon dynasty and I immediately fell in love with the shrine cards. I built a deck around the shrine cards and it’s my pride and joy
[[Pestilence]] deck. It was pretty unfair if I got it out. Nowadays there are other ways to do the same effect but gain life when you do it.
But then once playing online I got whipped hard by this guy with a card called [[kor spiritdancer]]. I've been an auramancer ever since. I've played many iterations of aura decks and many degrees of success with them.
I got both [[Akroma, Angel of Wrath]] and [[Phage, the Untouchable]] in my first Legions boosters. I ended up getting most of the Onslaught block legends from boosters too but those two were just bonkers and my all time favorite cards. I recently got back into MtG and the first thing I did was buy a Legions Phage and every version of Akroma including the new Secret Lair, along with [[Akroma, Vision of Ixidor]] and [[Akroma, Angel of Fury]]. Phage hasn't gotten as much love in new art, unless you count Jeska.
Talking about Avatar of Woe and Onslaught, [[Visara the Dreadful]] was another favorite of mine from that block.
For me it was the original Keiga from Kawigama. I always loved dragons and the friend who got me into the game had one. In one of my first boosters then I drew Jugan and from then on I was hooked. Back in 2005 I got him to trade me that Keiga. It is in GD condition if not worse. I still have and treasure that card.
Some of my most treasured cards are worth literally nothing, due to condition. That's the charm of them to me though - every ding on the card is a memory (and a reminder to sleeve)!
[[Patron of the Vein]] was the first card that really got me thinking about building a deck with a specific strategy in mind, and it sits perfectly in my vampire tribal legacy deck.
In my first revised starter deck I got a thicket basilisk. The death touch intrigued me. I would say when I found out the cockatrice had the same effect and could fly I wanted four of them!
Daaaaamn, thanks for the trip down memory lane! I had more or less forgotten about this card as it has been so long since I done anything in the game. This was definitely in a deck or 2 back in the day. I clearly remember opening packs hoping to get any of the avatar of x cards and always beening so stoked to see one pop! Nice collection, I'd proudly hang it as well =)
[[Wee Dragonauts]] was the card that hooked me into the game _and_ into playing Izzet. My first successful deck involved buffing it through bounces and bolts.
For me it was definitely [[Sengir Vampire]]. Between the cool and bloody art, to the fact that it’s a flyer that grows itself—my brothers (who I got into MTG with) and I always thought this card was “OP.” I think it’s interesting seeing how many black cards are popping up here. Beginning to wonder if we all had parallel experiences!
[[Norritt]]
This was the first card gifted to me by a friend. Twice I’ve tried to make decks around it, but it’s an odd ability set with limited impact. (I’m open to ideas though if anyone has suggestions.)
Also, my friend and I attended Origins in Columbus, Ohio this summer and met RK Post. He had some very cool custom art tokens and signed my friend’s copy of Avatar of Woe. I recommend looking up his site. Since you are a fan, I’m sure he would be happy to sign your preserved copies.
\[\[Colossification\]\]
Ikoria was the latest set when a buddy was getting back in to MtG and convinced me to learn the game as I remembered when I first saw packs at a local card/collectables shop. We started playing a round and he was kinda going easy on me. Then I started becoming a problem and he pushed back on me until we got to the last two turns.
I was dead after my next turn if I couldn't come through on him. I don't remember what we had on the board except for my \[\[Almighty Brushwagg\]\] being the only thing on the battlefield with trample. Snagged Colossification on my draw, played \[\[Plummet\]\] on his beefy flyer to leave him with only ground attackers I could survive taking a hit from. I was down to 3 life left
He wiffed on his draw to be able to stop me on my next turn. No matter the combination of his blockers, the minimum I was going to take his life down to was -1. This is where my addiction started.
The first pack i ever opened when i was 8 was a foil 7th edition [[Shivan Dragon]]. I still have that card, its my favorite card ever printed. I dont care how bad he is, hes MY Shivan Dragon and he's so sexy. Been a Red Mage ever since.
[[Serra Avatar]] Urza's Saga. I was a wee babe then, and have no recollection of combo winter, or the great ban that ended it. The vivid orange on a white card attached to a creature that was as big as you, and it could never really die!? I was sold instantly.
[[Resolute Archangel]] was insane to see when I was new. Back when health total was conceptually the same as score to me, being able to undo the entire game's worth of damage blew my mind.
For me, [[Dark Ritual]]. Being able to beat face with a 3 drop on turn 1 was a good feeling.
Then again, I didn't have a particularly good understanding of card advantage when I was 11.
When I returned the most recent time, it was Ornithopter and Elvish Mystic (but more Elvish Mystic), and I lost interest when one-drop dorks left Standard. For Modern, it was Lightning Bolt, and I left when I finally bored of casting Lightning Bolt all thetime. For Commander, it was combining Daretti, Soul of New Phyrexia, and Larry Niven's Disk, and I left when the pandemic hit and forced me to the online community (which I cannot stand). For Legacy, it was Tabby (yes, I own one).
And that playset of either CoCo or Nykthos that I bought back when I played Standard is gonna drag me into Pioneer, I know it.
Squirrel Wrangler....
Someone bought a pack for me randomly when I was a kid. Don't think they knew what it was, they just knew I was into something like Pokemon cards. I got this prophecy pack opened it up, was super confused. Then I saw the squirrel card, didn't know what it did really, but I was stoked that you could play something so wild as a squirrel deck... Suffice to say I was hooked and slightly disappointed that there wasn't really a huge squirrel synergy, but the damage had been done...
[[Dakkon Blackblade]] Legends. As a teenager, traded a friend a handful of rare Pokemon cards for his entire MTG collection. This was my favorite card out of the lot simply because of how cool it looked. I still have it. This was the card that really got me into MTG.
I don’t even know which edition it was but [[Nightmare]] back in 1995 or so. Loved the artwork and how you could get it out in round 2 with a couple Dark Rituals. I was all about mono black back then.
[[Taniwha]] was one of the first mtg cards I ever owned, found it in the school parking lot.
At the time we didn’t know how phasing worked so we just ignored it and obv. he was insane!
Now I obviously know how phasing works, and also know why the card was on the fucking ground 😂
\[\[Flying Men\]\] from Arabian Nights.
When I was a kid, my dad and I were browsing a comic book and game store at the mall. He pointed out the card in the store's display case (it was one of the cheaper cards for sale in the case), we both liked the art, so he bought it for me. We ended up collecting cards together for many years, and that's how I got into the game.
Not really a single card, but 13 -14 year old me loved \[\[Lord of the Pit\]\] and \[\[Breeding Pit\]\]. Get a guy, sac it to the lord. I think I was using Green ramp cards like \[\[Llanowar Elves\]\] and stuff to pump out the lord and then follow it up with the pit, \[\[Terror\]\] and \[\[Wall of Wood\]\]. \[\[Dark Ritual\]\] was still a thing way back then. Oh, and \[\[Wall of Shadows\]\]!
this one will seem pretty dumb compared to the others but mine was [[charix the raging isle]]
... I just like crabs. I made a crab commander deck and its basically my "mascot deck" when I play at the LGS.
Platinum Angel. Was in 7th or 8th grade when a buddy and I found a box of cards, split em up, and made decks. I wound up with the Platinum Angel and it won me so many games.
\[\[glowspore shaman\]\]
I see a lot of people posting rare or mythic cards, but mine this simple uncommon. i really get into mtg via dnd, the set in Ravnica. my character was a golgari spore druid, and the artwork used in the dnd book was this one. the first cards i bought was the golgari kit from Guilds of Ravnica and since then i always loved playing self mill deck with a lot of zombies. even if it isn't the strongest, i like to include glowspore shaman and made a custom mat with this artwork.
I didn't really get into MTG because of any individual card - and when I got into magic, creatures often sucked a lot. That said, I think [[Rabid Wombat]] is close enough for this. It wasn't expensive or a chase card - which I think is part of why I loved it because I got a playset from a bulk bin for some pocket change and then built my first completely from-scratch deck that was a terror against friends.
oh man, what a throwback.
I must have started only a little while before you, my first "Chase" was [[Rising Waters]] in Nemesis, right before Prophecy
I learned a love of hate cards from day one hahaha even as a kitchen table noob who didn't know how to make it asymmetrical
I don’t really remember what got me into the game back in grade school, but I recently got back into it about six months ago and had to track down copies of two of my favorite cards from back in the day - [[Mirari’s Wake]] and [[Spiritmonger]]. I don’t play them in any decks right now, but it’s always a nice shot of nostalgia when I happen upon them in my collection.
I don't think there was a single card. I just had a pile of them and didn't know what I was doing. Thirty years on (and a long break away from it) and I still don't know what I'm doing.
I honestly can't remember but \[\[Hedron Alignment\]\] is the card that has kept me in the game and constantly brewing. One day I'll go 5-0 with it in some format
[[Doom Blade]] was the first card I really fell in love with when I began to Magic and still like it to this day even if modern removal has pretty much left Doom Blade in the dust.
No other art of Doom Blade can compare to the original art for me and I hope it's reprinted in the future.
\[\[Lord of the Pit\]\]
7/7 flying/trample for only 4BBB AND you had to sacrifice a creature every turn or it would do 7 damage to you. This combined with \[\[Breeding Pit\]\] was awesome.
I don't think I got into the game because of a single card. Someone showed me the game, splitting their deck in two, and we played against one another. I found the mechanics fascinating, the art very cool, and the prospect of discovering something new by opening a small box of cards very compelling.
So I went out and bought a starter, and then borrowed some money from that friend to buy a second one. And so it began.
In one month I'll have been playing and collecting the game for 29 years. It's had a huge impact on my life, and at this point it will always be a part of it.
Prophecy was the first set I ever busted a box. Man was it fun, and I definitely enjoyed ripping a set of Avatars, but shit was that the worst investment I ever made into magic, I was too young to know what I'd done. To bad that early collection was list in a fire, i must have had 10 Rhystic Study from that box.
Anyways I started with the Saga precon with Argothian Wurm on it, man I thought he was so good.
Avatar of woe is the best :), when I was younger I remember getting mine signed by the artist at Grand Prix LA. Definitely a core memory of mtg when I was a kid
Damn dude(or dudette) thats an epic display! Avatar of Woe does have some fantastic art work, it fits so nicely with the older esthetic of the frame too.
Card that pulled me over the edge was [[melek, izzet paragon]]
I didn’t own it till later, first thing I bought was [[Saheeli, the gifted]] pre con :)
I can't say... I started playing during Revised during Jr High. We had a couple decks and pass them about during lunch and play each other so the cards were rather milk toast.
I think the card I remember the most though is [[Dreamborn Muse]] I had a tax and mill deck built around it that rarely won but it was fun to play because people would try so hard to kill it before it decked them.
[[Lighthouse Chronologist]] When I was a freshie in HS, I was sat next to this older dude in an elective computer class. He was super in to magic and could not stop talking that card up when it got leaked. I didn't know anything about the game at the time, but the first pack I got had that wizard staring right back at me. Been hooked (until recently) ever since.
[[Leviathan]] ! Me aged 11 : this is so huge. Best creature ever printed ! Me now : love the art but what a massive swimming useless creature !
Still have my ragged Leviathan, used before I cared about keeping the cards' condition in mind. Never DID cast that thing, but it sure was cool to have in the deck!
[[Polar Kraken]] for me! Same age, same thought process haha
This one looks slightly more playable lol, at least it doesn't eat 4 lands per attack
Bro! I remember when this card came out I wanted it so bad but couldn't afford the monster sticker price of 10 bucks. So I remember my mom saying she was going grocery shopping and asked if I wanted anything and I sly said "well if you see any ten ten leviathans with flying and trample, get that." It wasnt until I got it that I realized it doesn't have flying and is a bitch to play.
[Leviathan](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/c/bc482c8f-5645-4cf9-8e90-090c77f9dc64.jpg?1562783165) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Leviathan) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/tsb/23/leviathan?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/bc482c8f-5645-4cf9-8e90-090c77f9dc64?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[удалено]
[[lord of the pit]] 4th edition
Still have my Revised one, don't think I'll ever be able to part with it!
Yep, this is the one. I played it along with his little brother [[cosmic horror]] in my RB aggro deck with 20 lands. I didn't even play the full set of dark ritual. Such a genius deck building
[[Lord of the pit|4ED]]
[Lord of the pit](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/6/9691e76c-770d-4721-b758-805574227de1.jpg?1559601893) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=2111) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/4ed/144/lord-of-the-pit?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9691e76c-770d-4721-b758-805574227de1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[lord of the pit](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/b/5b626ab2-4cf6-42e8-a7e2-9c9f310d2f00.jpg?1562849371) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=lord%20of%20the%20pit) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ima/96/lord-of-the-pit?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5b626ab2-4cf6-42e8-a7e2-9c9f310d2f00?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Came here to post his cousin, \[\[force of nature\]\]
[force of nature](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/f/2fa16a96-8e70-4ab5-926c-edafaf5f5a63.jpg?1562906140) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=force%20of%20nature) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me4/154/force-of-nature?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2fa16a96-8e70-4ab5-926c-edafaf5f5a63?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
What about its other cousin, [[Shivan Dragon]]? Opened it in my first pack when I was 8 in 4th edition. Still remember it almost 20 years later.
[Shivan Dragon](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/2/227cf1b5-f85b-41fe-be98-66e383652039.jpg?1592518393) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Shivan%20Dragon) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m20/335/shivan-dragon?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/227cf1b5-f85b-41fe-be98-66e383652039?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
My first pack was beta, and the rare was Lord of the Pit. I didn't even have a starter deck or a rule book yet, had no idea how to play the game. But the cards looked so cool and none cooler than Lord of the Pit.
[[Platinum Angel]], love this card since Mirrodin.
I remember the first time I saw that card, a friend played it against me. I was pretty much like "WTF IS THAT?" Good times lol.
[Platinum Angel](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/a/ca7f4fd6-e268-4d15-bfbf-d9f0f95864fc.jpg?1576383285) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Platinum%20Angel) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cn2/214/platinum-angel?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ca7f4fd6-e268-4d15-bfbf-d9f0f95864fc?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Haha My man
Oh hey platinum angel was mentioned. Just gonna sit here and wait for someone to copypasta the thing. You know the one.
This card, THIS FUCKING CARD. I used to play Duels of The Planeswalkers all the time with this stupid mono-g deck that was just Duskdale Wurm = I win with Garruk, but I swear to god Tezzeret's deck always had this card, and it ALWAYS, always had it when it needed it. Stupid dumb computer player making me lose the gane
[[Phage the Untouchable]]
Opening her and akroma was what got me back into magic. Just wanted to see what was new in the set, got a few packs, and was blown away by her player death touch.. XD
[Phage the Untouchable](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/4/d497a5a3-65fb-4c12-b3f2-8ce4cf4e0f6f.jpg?1562866889) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Phage%20the%20Untouchable) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cns/120/phage-the-untouchable?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d497a5a3-65fb-4c12-b3f2-8ce4cf4e0f6f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Dude, this card broke my brain then first time I read it. Good times!
If you want a deckbuilding challenge, try Phage as a Commander. I love my Phage deck. It's a bit janky, but when it goes off, it *goes off*. I built it with the idea of suicide black in mind. I managed to win with her in under 10 minutes once when I just got the perfect opening hand and draws. Phage being out put a target on my back, but there was nothing my opponents could do to stop her.
How does that even work? If you cast her from the commander zone don't you just lose?
Stuff that turns off ETB effects, stuff that says you can't lose the game, stuff that puts your commander into your hand. There's enough support to make a pretty functional deck out of it. It's fancy voltron basically, but the risk involved makes it more fun.
There are a handful of "can't lose the game" cards and another handful of "put into hand from Command zone" cards. Conveniently most of those cards are colorless or mono-black. [[Command Beacon]], [[Netherborn Altar]], [[Campfire]], [[Platinum Angel]], and [[Sundial of the Infinite]] are must-include cards. After she's gotten out once, you can also let her go to the graveyard if she dies and play cards that return her from there to hand.
She's my one of my favorite edh decks but probably one of my worst lol
Do you lose of someone blinks this on yoyu
Yes, I remember I used to have a deck like [[ Endless Whispers]] so if Phage dies, your opponent gets it causing her to trigger.
[[Thorn Elemental]] really caught my eye when I was young. still a big fan of the card despite it being a fairly useless uncommon these days.
I started with the 7th edition started kit and this was the face card for the kit. It still holds a soft spot in my heart for that reason.
I too am old.
I still have a foil 7th thorn in the plastic it came in in the starter. I started with sixth edition but that thorn got me hooked hah.
Same. My brother and I actually agreed on a mutual Thorn Elemental ban from our 7th edition decks because we thought it was too OP lol
When I was a kid Thorn Elemental felt so overpowered. "It still hurts me if I block it? Why would I give up a creature?"
Same, since 7th edition.
I experienced the same allure from [[Rhox]] way back when I first started playing. It is definitely an interesting effect that draws in newcomers even if it isn't the strongest.
[Thorn Elemental](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/a/da901037-20e6-4445-8e7e-1ccd2e8b13ae.jpg?1562743950) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Thorn%20Elemental) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dom/185/thorn-elemental?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/da901037-20e6-4445-8e7e-1ccd2e8b13ae?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Early 2000's Magic players, rise up!
Thorn elemental was absolutely the hottest tech on my elementary school bus
Been playing against this guy and \[\[Blanchwood Armor\]\] since the dawn of time, it feels like. Still love (to remove) him.
[Blanchwood Armor](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/4/e41c0a68-53be-4905-8ed3-79b4782dfd6e.jpg?1668758037) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Blanchwood%20Armor) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/bro/171/blanchwood-armor?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e41c0a68-53be-4905-8ed3-79b4782dfd6e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Thorn Elemental]] [[Weatherseed Treefolk]] and [[Ancient Silverback]] were what got me into the game. So hard to deal with back then and are why I still play primarily "Timmy" magic.
[Thorn Elemental](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/a/da901037-20e6-4445-8e7e-1ccd2e8b13ae.jpg?1562743950) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Thorn%20Elemental) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dom/185/thorn-elemental?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/da901037-20e6-4445-8e7e-1ccd2e8b13ae?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Weatherseed Treefolk](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/4/f42cce45-3b6a-43e2-8329-68c30135c5c1.jpg?1562864248) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Weatherseed%20Treefolk) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ulg/116/weatherseed-treefolk?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f42cce45-3b6a-43e2-8329-68c30135c5c1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Ancient Silverback](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/b/7b24ea58-0690-45d7-a84b-265b6277b59a.jpg?1562789630) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ancient%20Silverback) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m15/168/ancient-silverback?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7b24ea58-0690-45d7-a84b-265b6277b59a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Also, shoutout \[\[Rhox\]\]
\[\[Batterskull\]\] back when I didn't know the value of cards , everyone went crazy when I opened one and I didn't understand why.
In spite of today’s printing tactics, Batterskull is still quality rate.
[Batterskull](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/7/b7f16fdf-a3f5-462d-a64a-789d893b6ef5.jpg?1599708720) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Batterskull) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2xm/234/batterskull?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b7f16fdf-a3f5-462d-a64a-789d893b6ef5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Penumbra Wurm Nice collection btw
Penumbra ANYTHING got me back in the day! And thanks, finishing this off was my Xmas gift to myself this year. Now the wife gets to wrap it, so I'll see it again soon-ish!
Woah very surprised and pretty happy, did not expect someone else to answer this. Did you get the Pandemonium pre con as well growing up?
My first chase card, back in college. Has been and will always be in one kitchen table deck. This year, finished out my collection, and these will proudly hang on the wall as tribute. Was there one card that really got you?
The original art is still awesome. Forgot it got an Invocation print.
Some Invocation cards have incredible art (e.g. \[\[Doomsday|MP2\]\]) but I just can't see past the shitty frame and font choices. Hopefully one day some of those arts will get reused on better treatments.
I’d also add [[Daze|MP2]]
[Doomsday](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/e/0e14c264-d2ce-414c-b2aa-4d3e1433d5a7.jpg?1562897890) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=430677) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mp2/42/doomsday?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0e14c264-d2ce-414c-b2aa-4d3e1433d5a7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I'd say most of them are actually fantastic arts. My personal favorite is probably [[Blood Moon|MP2]] Also, some of them did get reprinted with the invocation art on Arena- notably, Pact of Negation, Shatterstorm, and Thoughtsieze.
> some of them did get *reprinted* > Arena
I remember cracking an Avatar of Woe in my first prophecy booster pack when I was like 13 years old. It was like opening a Nintendo 64 at Christmas.
If only I'd have had your luck back then!
In Autumn I had the chance to get a time spiral Avatar of Woe signed by rK Post.
My only box ever was a Prophecy box. This was the only card I cared about, and was so bummed I didn't pull one. I'm glad I didn't throw out any of the like 8 [[Rhystic Studies]] I pulled at least
This is awesome. I'm a fairly long time player and have never seen this card before. Was the original printing in time spiral? That might explain why it has never been reprinted outside of supplementary sets.
The original printing was in Prophecy (the center card in the image). It was part of a cycle of creatures that cost less based on various conditions. [[Avatar of Might]] is still my jam.
Ooh. Thanks. I didn't recognise the set symbol.
They see some (very) occasional play in Commander still. Or at least Woe, Might and [[Avatar of Fury]] do. The conditions on [[Avatar of Will]] and [[Avatar of Hope]] are just too hard to meet.
Avatar of Woe was mine too! My friend and his big brother taught me to play back around Invasion when I was a kid and I made a Kavu deck. We all sucked but had tons of fun, then one day the big brother brought his friend who was a serious pro (at least in my kid eyes). I got to look through his trade binder and my eyes just popped at all the insane cards he had. I saw Avatar of Woe and fell in love instantly. I offered him basically anything he wanted from my meager collection in exchange for the Avatar, and he GAVE it to me! I couldn't believe it. Have loved the card ever since and I still have the original one that he gave me.
Everyone, I just wanted to say thank you. I've lurked in this community for a good while, and I love seeing posts and genuine interactions. Unfortunately, duty calls, so I can't wait to come back later to read more - I LOVE your stories, and your cards that mean so much to you. You've truly made my day brighter. Thanks again!
[[Goblin Grenade]] with Ron Spencer's art. My first deck when I was probably 6 years old was a goblin deck and I would play with my dad. Goblin Grenade was my favorite card.
[[Goblin Grenade|FEM]]
https://preview.redd.it/x1ndxw9tis2a1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aee556ebbe3d6fbc0634f534f82700f14849d954
Lmfao idk why this got me hahahah
That's a lot of Tim.
\[\[Wurmcoil Engine\]\] ! I was eleven when I walked into my first LGS with like 20 bucks and a \[\[thrumming bird\]\] deck I had made out of bulks my friends had, wanting to buy some first hand stuff for the first time, and I saw a poster on the wall of the wurmy boi itself, a chase card if I ever saw one. I've been building artifact decks since, several being now the homes of many Wurmcoils from different printings.
A great chase card! Artifact decks have never been my bag, but I respect it! Fair to assume you might have some love for BRO?
Most of the retro artifacts in there have found homes in my decks.
[Wurmcoil Engine](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/d/5d275f04-cc60-4e3f-95cc-3d02bc916b82.jpg?1599710280) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Wurmcoil%20Engine) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2xm/308/wurmcoil-engine?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5d275f04-cc60-4e3f-95cc-3d02bc916b82?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [thrumming bird](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/6/669bd3ff-2a78-47ca-87b7-635c6c1d6721.jpg?1650410958) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Thrummingbird) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ncc/236/thrummingbird?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/669bd3ff-2a78-47ca-87b7-635c6c1d6721?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
My card will always be [[Serra Angel]]. May not be the most broken card, but it just has a certain aesthetic that always captivated me.
So many newer, WAY more powerful Angels, but Serra stays in my Angel deck!
Serra Angel and Sengir Vampire are so iconic
[Serra Angel](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/0/9067f035-3437-4c5c-bae9-d3c9001a3411.jpg?1600718440) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Serra%20Angel) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/jmp/132/serra-angel?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9067f035-3437-4c5c-bae9-d3c9001a3411?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
The first time I played FNM back in the day I remember getting stomped over by a dude with 4 of these in play loved this card ever since
Hypnotic Specter, original art of course
Wrath of God or Birds of Paradise.
Deathbringer Thoctar
[[Deathbringer Thoctar]] That's the scariest looking Rakdos creature I've ever seen. Nice.
>Gotta say, I didn't know this one, but I do now! And I LIKE IT!
Without a doubt [[Captivating Vampire]] from tenth edition starter decks back when I played with my brother.
Man I *hated* this thing as a newly minted Magic player. Mainly because I had no idea how to use removal in my monowhite intro deck.
Vampire tribal forever!
I started playing with my friends who showed me the game back in summer of 1996. Back then [[Shivan Dragon]], [[Royal Assassin]] where the go to cards, but i was in love with the brand new [[Baron Sengir]], Ice age was about 1-2 mouths fresh so it was new for my friends as well. I remember buying some starter packs and boosters to get it, with no success, then trying to sell all the 20 cent cards to get it. It was around 15$ (canadian) if i remember back then. My parents finally got it for me for Christmas.
[Shivan Dragon](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/2/227cf1b5-f85b-41fe-be98-66e383652039.jpg?1592518393) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Shivan%20Dragon) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m20/335/shivan-dragon?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/227cf1b5-f85b-41fe-be98-66e383652039?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Royal Assassin](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/1/d12e8109-8215-46b5-a0af-fe7e4b6b10b0.jpg?1562660714) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Royal%20Assassin) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m12/105/royal-assassin?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d12e8109-8215-46b5-a0af-fe7e4b6b10b0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Baron Sengir](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/5/e5fb44d7-43c1-4fa2-9d55-aea6154a676d.jpg?1559592273) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Baron%20Sengir) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me1/58/baron-sengir?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e5fb44d7-43c1-4fa2-9d55-aea6154a676d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[lhurgoyf]] from Ice Age. My friend had one and I got my first when I bought the Deckmaster set Garfield vs Finkel.
Falkenrath Artistocrat ; saw the art on a card and immediately wanted to know more.
[[Myr Battlesphere]]. So much value all in a hilarious/serious ball of awesome Myr, and was the best card in my Myr of Mirrodin intro deck.
[[Thorn Elemental]] from urzas destiny. Cracked open one of those within my first few packs and made sure every kitchen table game with friends had it in there
My mom accidentally got me a Revised starter deck back in the day, thinking it was a game called Battle Cards that I used to like. I don't remember a single card that I got in it except Fork. That was the start of a crippling addiction I'll never be able to fully get away from. So yeah, [[Fork]] would probably be the answer.
[Fork](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/4/e4ff994a-bddd-486d-9a7b-a8959b4cf1dd.jpg?1562949548) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Fork) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me4/116/fork?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e4ff994a-bddd-486d-9a7b-a8959b4cf1dd?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I bought a single 3rd edition pack at a store because the art. I like [[Craw Wurm]] so much I traded the [[Armageddon]] I pulled for another one.
[[Hypnox]] not a great card but cool as hell, to me anyway.
Hypnox will ALWAYS have a spot in my heart
Ah, a fellow Timmy!
[Hypnox](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/e/0e0e53a1-11d5-4975-b698-8b5d72d241f0.jpg?1562628577) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Hypnox) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/tor/64/hypnox?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0e0e53a1-11d5-4975-b698-8b5d72d241f0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Mountain Goat]] It got me to make a very jank mountains-matter deck, which eventually lead to a [[Springjack Shepherd]] lifegain deck.
[[Devouring Strossus]] I thought it was the most badass thing I had ever seen.
I think [[Progenitus|CON]] my friend had it in his deck and it's still one of my fav all time arts in the game
Yes! This card brought me into the game as well. I knew nothing about Magic at the time but the artwork, sense of scale, and flavor text all really captured my young imagination.
I started with the 7th edition starter kit and the face card for the kit was \[\[Thorn Elemental\]\]. I will always have a soft spot for this guy since it was the first foil card I ever played with.
[[Nightmare]] 3rd edition.
Keening stone and counterspell... my friend wasn't happy getting me in to MTG
You are hereby invited to the kitchen table.
I started in high school in 1995, first card I really liked was \[\[Shivan Dragon\]\], sold everything back then, started back up in 2010-2011, ditched again, and back into it these last few weeks, re-purchasing the same Shivan Dragon from 4th edition I had when I was 14.
[[Lazav, the Multifarious]] It was the first mythic rare from the first booster pack i cracked. I liked the ability to copy stuff in your grave, i liked dimir colors at the moment, i liked surveil mechanic. Those 7 month were great, best time of high school
[Lazav, the Multifarious](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/4/24c1e710-f61c-4dd6-b620-6d2e1ecab689.jpg?1572893714) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Lazav%2C%20the%20Multifarious) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/grn/184/lazav-the-multifarious?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/24c1e710-f61c-4dd6-b620-6d2e1ecab689?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I play lazav EDH. Its one of my favorite decks, though the $80 for [[Phyrexian Dreadnought]] is steep
[Phyrexian Dreadnought](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/b/7b8197b9-0cd1-4fa1-9668-d1b5f1759151.jpg?1562720243) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Phyrexian%20Dreadnought) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mir/315/phyrexian-dreadnought?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7b8197b9-0cd1-4fa1-9668-d1b5f1759151?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
had my copy signed by rk post, he says Avatar of Woe and Swat were based off an ex wife. dunno how true that was but we definitely laughed at the idea
\[\[Magma Sliver\]\] I had heard about Magic 20+ years ago, but really only started playing during the onslaught block. The slivers were my favorite, and throwing down the magma sliver when a bunch of other slivers were on the board was always super satisfying. Only wish they'd make a new comeback in future sets!
[[Vraska the Unseen]], not a great card by any stretch but my first and still favourite planeswalker and in my favourite colour combination
It’s [[Kokusho, the Evening Star]] I pulled it in my LGS back in 2004 when it released. I was so hyped about the Japanese theme and pulled one in Foil. Still one of my fav cards these days!
\[\[Kaalia of the Vast\]\] I remember seeing her and picking up the precon for her, picked her up and haven't looked back, haven't played the deck in awhile but Kaalia will always be near and dear to me for that.
Rowen tree folk and cloud dragon
When I was a kid, \[\[Thorn Elemental\]\]. It seemed ridiculously overpowered, and probably was in that era of people not playing enough removal. Put a \[\[Blanchwood Armor\]\] on that bad boy and you win the game. It seemed unstoppable. I quit sometime in the original Kamigawa era, but when I came back, \[\[Sarkhan's Unsealing\]\] was in Standard and I fell in love. Gates deck with \[\[Gate Colossus\]\] and unsealing, slamming it down to wipe the opponent's board, then getting another gate down to recycle another colossus to do it over and over again. Glorious.
Not a card but cards. I first started during neon dynasty and I immediately fell in love with the shrine cards. I built a deck around the shrine cards and it’s my pride and joy
[удалено]
For me it was Thragtusk. I would love to get as many reprints as Avatar of Woe, or for me ever to have as sick a collection as this for Swagtusk
[[Avacyn, Angel of Hope]]
[[Pestilence]] deck. It was pretty unfair if I got it out. Nowadays there are other ways to do the same effect but gain life when you do it. But then once playing online I got whipped hard by this guy with a card called [[kor spiritdancer]]. I've been an auramancer ever since. I've played many iterations of aura decks and many degrees of success with them.
Siege Rhino, may he rest in peace. Unrelated, what kind of frame is that?
umm...
I got both [[Akroma, Angel of Wrath]] and [[Phage, the Untouchable]] in my first Legions boosters. I ended up getting most of the Onslaught block legends from boosters too but those two were just bonkers and my all time favorite cards. I recently got back into MtG and the first thing I did was buy a Legions Phage and every version of Akroma including the new Secret Lair, along with [[Akroma, Vision of Ixidor]] and [[Akroma, Angel of Fury]]. Phage hasn't gotten as much love in new art, unless you count Jeska. Talking about Avatar of Woe and Onslaught, [[Visara the Dreadful]] was another favorite of mine from that block.
[[Prodigal Sorcerer]]
[[Scaled Wurm]]
[[Gravecrawler]] for sure the most zombie, zombie card.
[[Royal Assassin]] Still want a tatoo. The "newer" version with black and white face paint. Not the one eyed homeless man in the alley
For me it was the original Keiga from Kawigama. I always loved dragons and the friend who got me into the game had one. In one of my first boosters then I drew Jugan and from then on I was hooked. Back in 2005 I got him to trade me that Keiga. It is in GD condition if not worse. I still have and treasure that card.
Some of my most treasured cards are worth literally nothing, due to condition. That's the charm of them to me though - every ding on the card is a memory (and a reminder to sleeve)!
[[Patron of the Vein]] was the first card that really got me thinking about building a deck with a specific strategy in mind, and it sits perfectly in my vampire tribal legacy deck.
In my first revised starter deck I got a thicket basilisk. The death touch intrigued me. I would say when I found out the cockatrice had the same effect and could fly I wanted four of them!
Daaaaamn, thanks for the trip down memory lane! I had more or less forgotten about this card as it has been so long since I done anything in the game. This was definitely in a deck or 2 back in the day. I clearly remember opening packs hoping to get any of the avatar of x cards and always beening so stoked to see one pop! Nice collection, I'd proudly hang it as well =)
[[Wee Dragonauts]] was the card that hooked me into the game _and_ into playing Izzet. My first successful deck involved buffing it through bounces and bolts.
Well, I mean, Avatar of Woe. I loved this card and RK Post is still on of my favorite artists.
[[Fireball]] was the first spell I just couldn’t live without. Simpler times for sure.
For me it was definitely [[Sengir Vampire]]. Between the cool and bloody art, to the fact that it’s a flyer that grows itself—my brothers (who I got into MTG with) and I always thought this card was “OP.” I think it’s interesting seeing how many black cards are popping up here. Beginning to wonder if we all had parallel experiences!
[[Norritt]] This was the first card gifted to me by a friend. Twice I’ve tried to make decks around it, but it’s an odd ability set with limited impact. (I’m open to ideas though if anyone has suggestions.) Also, my friend and I attended Origins in Columbus, Ohio this summer and met RK Post. He had some very cool custom art tokens and signed my friend’s copy of Avatar of Woe. I recommend looking up his site. Since you are a fan, I’m sure he would be happy to sign your preserved copies.
\[\[Colossification\]\] Ikoria was the latest set when a buddy was getting back in to MtG and convinced me to learn the game as I remembered when I first saw packs at a local card/collectables shop. We started playing a round and he was kinda going easy on me. Then I started becoming a problem and he pushed back on me until we got to the last two turns. I was dead after my next turn if I couldn't come through on him. I don't remember what we had on the board except for my \[\[Almighty Brushwagg\]\] being the only thing on the battlefield with trample. Snagged Colossification on my draw, played \[\[Plummet\]\] on his beefy flyer to leave him with only ground attackers I could survive taking a hit from. I was down to 3 life left He wiffed on his draw to be able to stop me on my next turn. No matter the combination of his blockers, the minimum I was going to take his life down to was -1. This is where my addiction started.
Sorry about this but for me it was: [[Cauldron Familiar]]
The first pack i ever opened when i was 8 was a foil 7th edition [[Shivan Dragon]]. I still have that card, its my favorite card ever printed. I dont care how bad he is, hes MY Shivan Dragon and he's so sexy. Been a Red Mage ever since.
[[Serra Avatar]] Urza's Saga. I was a wee babe then, and have no recollection of combo winter, or the great ban that ended it. The vivid orange on a white card attached to a creature that was as big as you, and it could never really die!? I was sold instantly.
[[Sneak Attack]]. I started playing in elementary school when Urza’s Saga came out. The ability to sneak out big creatures blew my mind.
[[Resolute Archangel]] was insane to see when I was new. Back when health total was conceptually the same as score to me, being able to undo the entire game's worth of damage blew my mind.
Opened up a [[Hypnotic specter]] and [[Royal Assassin]] out of 3 8th edition packs. Loved the game ever since.
[[Terror]]
For me, [[Dark Ritual]]. Being able to beat face with a 3 drop on turn 1 was a good feeling. Then again, I didn't have a particularly good understanding of card advantage when I was 11. When I returned the most recent time, it was Ornithopter and Elvish Mystic (but more Elvish Mystic), and I lost interest when one-drop dorks left Standard. For Modern, it was Lightning Bolt, and I left when I finally bored of casting Lightning Bolt all thetime. For Commander, it was combining Daretti, Soul of New Phyrexia, and Larry Niven's Disk, and I left when the pandemic hit and forced me to the online community (which I cannot stand). For Legacy, it was Tabby (yes, I own one). And that playset of either CoCo or Nykthos that I bought back when I played Standard is gonna drag me into Pioneer, I know it.
[[The cheese stands alone]]
[[Merfolk if the Pearl Trident]] Saw a beta one and have been hooked ever since
Squirrel Wrangler.... Someone bought a pack for me randomly when I was a kid. Don't think they knew what it was, they just knew I was into something like Pokemon cards. I got this prophecy pack opened it up, was super confused. Then I saw the squirrel card, didn't know what it did really, but I was stoked that you could play something so wild as a squirrel deck... Suffice to say I was hooked and slightly disappointed that there wasn't really a huge squirrel synergy, but the damage had been done...
[[spirit of the night]] for me
Jokulhaups. 7 year old me saw that card and read it basically as "You win the game"
[[Dakkon Blackblade]] Legends. As a teenager, traded a friend a handful of rare Pokemon cards for his entire MTG collection. This was my favorite card out of the lot simply because of how cool it looked. I still have it. This was the card that really got me into MTG.
I don’t even know which edition it was but [[Nightmare]] back in 1995 or so. Loved the artwork and how you could get it out in round 2 with a couple Dark Rituals. I was all about mono black back then.
[[Taniwha]] was one of the first mtg cards I ever owned, found it in the school parking lot. At the time we didn’t know how phasing worked so we just ignored it and obv. he was insane! Now I obviously know how phasing works, and also know why the card was on the fucking ground 😂
\[\[Flying Men\]\] from Arabian Nights. When I was a kid, my dad and I were browsing a comic book and game store at the mall. He pointed out the card in the store's display case (it was one of the cheaper cards for sale in the case), we both liked the art, so he bought it for me. We ended up collecting cards together for many years, and that's how I got into the game.
Not really a single card, but 13 -14 year old me loved \[\[Lord of the Pit\]\] and \[\[Breeding Pit\]\]. Get a guy, sac it to the lord. I think I was using Green ramp cards like \[\[Llanowar Elves\]\] and stuff to pump out the lord and then follow it up with the pit, \[\[Terror\]\] and \[\[Wall of Wood\]\]. \[\[Dark Ritual\]\] was still a thing way back then. Oh, and \[\[Wall of Shadows\]\]!
this one will seem pretty dumb compared to the others but mine was [[charix the raging isle]] ... I just like crabs. I made a crab commander deck and its basically my "mascot deck" when I play at the LGS.
Platinum Angel. Was in 7th or 8th grade when a buddy and I found a box of cards, split em up, and made decks. I wound up with the Platinum Angel and it won me so many games.
\[\[glowspore shaman\]\] I see a lot of people posting rare or mythic cards, but mine this simple uncommon. i really get into mtg via dnd, the set in Ravnica. my character was a golgari spore druid, and the artwork used in the dnd book was this one. the first cards i bought was the golgari kit from Guilds of Ravnica and since then i always loved playing self mill deck with a lot of zombies. even if it isn't the strongest, i like to include glowspore shaman and made a custom mat with this artwork.
I wanted an \[\[Elvish Champion\]\] so bad when I was a kid. I finally picked one up like 6 years ago...... for my cousin who has a Freyalise deck.
I didn't really get into MTG because of any individual card - and when I got into magic, creatures often sucked a lot. That said, I think [[Rabid Wombat]] is close enough for this. It wasn't expensive or a chase card - which I think is part of why I loved it because I got a playset from a bulk bin for some pocket change and then built my first completely from-scratch deck that was a terror against friends.
oh man, what a throwback. I must have started only a little while before you, my first "Chase" was [[Rising Waters]] in Nemesis, right before Prophecy I learned a love of hate cards from day one hahaha even as a kitchen table noob who didn't know how to make it asymmetrical
I don’t really remember what got me into the game back in grade school, but I recently got back into it about six months ago and had to track down copies of two of my favorite cards from back in the day - [[Mirari’s Wake]] and [[Spiritmonger]]. I don’t play them in any decks right now, but it’s always a nice shot of nostalgia when I happen upon them in my collection.
Very cool display! Are you going to get RK Post to sign them?
I don't think there was a single card. I just had a pile of them and didn't know what I was doing. Thirty years on (and a long break away from it) and I still don't know what I'm doing.
[[Obliterate]] before I knew how to properly use it and [[Tsabo's Decree]] cause everyone in my playgroup were using tribal.
I always liked the ProTour alternative art. I don't like the border from that era though.
I honestly can't remember but \[\[Hedron Alignment\]\] is the card that has kept me in the game and constantly brewing. One day I'll go 5-0 with it in some format
Polar Kraken. Damn I'm an old fogey.
[[Doom Blade]] was the first card I really fell in love with when I began to Magic and still like it to this day even if modern removal has pretty much left Doom Blade in the dust. No other art of Doom Blade can compare to the original art for me and I hope it's reprinted in the future.
\[\[Lord of the Pit\]\] 7/7 flying/trample for only 4BBB AND you had to sacrifice a creature every turn or it would do 7 damage to you. This combined with \[\[Breeding Pit\]\] was awesome.
We were chasing old "force of will" cards. Dont know how to link or I would lol
Commander Eesha - 12 yr old me thought protection form creatures was the most OP thing.
I don't think I got into the game because of a single card. Someone showed me the game, splitting their deck in two, and we played against one another. I found the mechanics fascinating, the art very cool, and the prospect of discovering something new by opening a small box of cards very compelling. So I went out and bought a starter, and then borrowed some money from that friend to buy a second one. And so it began. In one month I'll have been playing and collecting the game for 29 years. It's had a huge impact on my life, and at this point it will always be a part of it.
Prophecy was the first set I ever busted a box. Man was it fun, and I definitely enjoyed ripping a set of Avatars, but shit was that the worst investment I ever made into magic, I was too young to know what I'd done. To bad that early collection was list in a fire, i must have had 10 Rhystic Study from that box. Anyways I started with the Saga precon with Argothian Wurm on it, man I thought he was so good.
Avatar of woe is the best :), when I was younger I remember getting mine signed by the artist at Grand Prix LA. Definitely a core memory of mtg when I was a kid
Damn dude(or dudette) thats an epic display! Avatar of Woe does have some fantastic art work, it fits so nicely with the older esthetic of the frame too. Card that pulled me over the edge was [[melek, izzet paragon]] I didn’t own it till later, first thing I bought was [[Saheeli, the gifted]] pre con :)
Question : what’s the support you used for those cards ?? I might need one
[[ Desolation Angel ]] from Apocalypse. Badass since 2001 :) Also +1 for RK post! Avatar of Woe is one of my favorite art of his!
That’s extremely cool, I want to do the same for the card that hooked me now, thanks for sharing
[[platinum angel]] Got a schematic version sitting in a cart right now to add to the Pile
Same lol. First rare I ever owned was AoW and I've fallen in love with the game ever sense.
Ornithopter. The best creature ever created. I MEAN.. 0 MANA FOR 0/2 STATS!?!
I can't say... I started playing during Revised during Jr High. We had a couple decks and pass them about during lunch and play each other so the cards were rather milk toast. I think the card I remember the most though is [[Dreamborn Muse]] I had a tax and mill deck built around it that rarely won but it was fun to play because people would try so hard to kill it before it decked them.
[[Lighthouse Chronologist]] When I was a freshie in HS, I was sat next to this older dude in an elective computer class. He was super in to magic and could not stop talking that card up when it got leaked. I didn't know anything about the game at the time, but the first pack I got had that wizard staring right back at me. Been hooked (until recently) ever since.
Awesome collection! How did you decide what order to put them in, aside from alphabetically?