Wizards of the Coast also assigns a three-character expansion code to each expansion. It was be followed by another "mini block," Shadowmoor, which also consist of one large and one small set.Īll expansion sets, and all editions of the base set from 6th Edition onward, are identified by an expansion symbol printed on the right side of cards, below the art and above the text box. Wizards announced that Lorwyn will consist of one large set and one small set, released in October and February respectively. Traditionally, the large set of each cycle has been released every October, with the small expansion sets associated with it being released the following February and June this practice began with Alliances in June 1996. Like the base set, stand-alone expansion sets contain basic land cards other expansion sets do not. Expansion sets beginning with Ice Age have come in sets of three which form a "cycle" or "block" consisting of one large "stand-alone" expansion set of more than 300 cards, followed by two small expansion sets of less than 200 cards, which continue the themes introduced in the large set. Expansion sets expand the game by adding new cards. The different editions of the base set each contain 302-449 cards, which have all been printed before, with the exception of Limited Edition, which was the game's first set. Wizards of the Coast releases Magic cards in base/core sets and in expansion sets.