Antiquities Set Overview
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Antiquities was Magic: The Gathering’s second expansion, released on March 4, 1994. It delved deeply into the lore of the Brothers’ War, focusing on artifacts and the conflict between Urza and Mishra. This was the first time a set told a cohesive story through its cards, introducing players to an expansive, lore-driven universe beyond the basic fantasy realm of the early core sets.
Antiquities Set Info #
| Set | Set Symbol | Symbol Description | Set Code | Pre-release Date | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antiquities | A stylized anvil design | ATQ | None | March 4, 1994 |
Note: The Antiquities set symbol is commonly referenced as an anvil, representing the industrial and artifact-themed nature of the set.
Antiquities Card Counts #
| Total Cards | Common | Uncommon | Rare | Mythic Rare | Basic Land | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85 (approx.) | 30 (approx.) | 35 (approx.) | 20 (approx.) | N/A | 0 | N/A |
Because Mythic Rare did not exist at the time and Basic Lands were not part of the set, these categories are noted as N/A.
More About Antiquities #
Antiquities centered around artifacts and colorless cards, marking a significant shift in Magic’s design philosophy. The set also wove together a cohesive narrative—Urza and Mishra’s battle for dominance—through flavor text and card names. This storytelling approach laid the groundwork for future expansions with rich lore. Many of the artifacts and lands in Antiquities became highly sought after in competitive play due to their unique and powerful effects.
Notable Antiquities MTG Cards #
Mishra’s Workshop
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A legendary land that taps for {C}{C}{C}, but only for casting artifact spells. It remains one of the most powerful and expensive lands in Vintage play.
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This inexpensive artifact can untap multiple lands, enabling explosive mana ramp. Its rarity and utility make it highly valued.
Transmute Artifact
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A blue sorcery that lets you trade one artifact for another—often a combo enabler in dedicated artifact decks, especially in Vintage and Commander.
Urza’s “Tron Lands”
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The three “Tron” lands generate massive amounts of mana when used together, making them a staple in various powerful strategies.
Antiquities proved that Magic’s storytelling potential could drive design and capture players’ imaginations. Its artifact theme and the Brothers’ War narrative have become fundamental pillars of Magic lore, influencing future expansions and cementing the set’s place in collectible gaming history.
