The Dark was Magic: The Gathering’s fourth expansion, released in August 1994. It shifted the game’s tone to a darker, more somber world following the devastation wrought by the Brothers’ War, as depicted in Antiquities. The Dark brought new, flavorful cards that explored conflict, secrecy, and survival. Although overshadowed by expansions like Legends, it remains notable for its unique setting and mechanics that encouraged more controlling or disruptive strategies.
The Dark Set Info #
| Set | Set Symbol | Symbol Description | Set Code | Pre-release Date | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Dark | A Crescent Moon | DRK | None | August 1994 |
Note: The Dark’s set symbol is often described as a Crescent Moon, reflecting the grim themes and rural conflicts found within the expansion.
The Dark Card Counts #
| Total Cards | Common | Uncommon | Rare | Mythic Rare | Basic Land | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 119 (approx.) | 40 (approx.) | 39 (approx.) | 40 (approx.) | N/A | 0 | N/A |
Mythic Rare did not exist at the time, and Basic Lands were not part of this set, so those categories are listed as N/A.
More About The Dark #
Building on the lore introduced in Antiquities, The Dark explores a fragile world dealing with the Aftermath of catastrophic warfare. Religion, cults, and superstition flourish in the ruins, reflected in the set’s artwork, flavor text, and card designs. While it did not introduce major new mechanics, The Dark contained several powerful or meta-defining cards that found places in older formats and remain collectible today.
Notable The Dark MTG Cards #
One of the most format-defining enchantments ever printed. It turns all nonbasic lands into Mountains, disrupting opponents’ mana bases and rewarding mono-colored or red-heavy decks.
A powerful defensive land that untaps an attacking creature and removes it from combat. Its utility in both casual and competitive environments keeps it highly sought after.
Ball Lightning
An iconic red creature: a 6/1 with trample and Haste for just {R}{R}{R}, but it must be sacrificed at the end of turn. It set the standard for fast, aggressive red threats.
City of Shadows
A unique land that exiles creatures you sacrifice to build charge counters, later tapping for increasing amounts of colorless mana. Its flavor and scarcity make it a cult favorite.
From its brooding world-building to its iconic spells, The Dark remains a fascinating piece of Magic’s early history. Though smaller and more understated than some other expansions, it introduced enduring cards and deepened the game’s expanding lore, proving that Magic could tackle darker themes and more nuanced design.
