Portal (Magic: The Gathering)

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Portal
Expansion symbol Portal expansion symbol
portal
Release date May 1, 1997[1]


Size between 221-228 cards, depending on language
Expansion code POR


Sets in Portal Block
Portal Portal Second Age Portal Three Kingdoms
Magic: The Gathering
Chronology
5th Edition Portal Weatherlight

Portal was the eighteenth Magic: The Gathering set and first starter level set, released on May 1, 1997.[1] Depending on the language, the set contains between 221 and 228 cards.

[edit] Set history

Portal was Wizards of the Coast's first major attempt at a set that new players could come into the game and understand. Back before the major rules changes brought forth by 6th Edition, Magic rules were more complicated; today, they are simplified with the addition of the stack.

As of October 2005, all cards in the Portal block are legal in Vintage and Legacy tournaments.

[edit] Mechanics

No new mechanics were introduced with Portal, but there were several "simplifications" made to the game through things left out of the set.

  • Instants -- Instants did not exist within the set. Instead, every "one-shot" spell was a sorcery; however, some sorceries could be played at particular times uncommon to sorceries but normal for instants. Most of these cards have since received errata making them Instants. For example, the card Assassin's Blade has the following text: Play Assassin's Blade only during the declare attackers step and only if you are the defending player.
  • Rules Text -- All rules text was in boldface. All flavor text and reminder (italicized) text was not boldface. To separate rules text and flavor text, the cards utilized a line with a slight bulge on both top and bottom; this makes the line look like a very elongated diamond.
  • Creature Types -- Although they do now via errata text, in their original printings Portal cards had no creature type.
  • Changes in Wordings
    • "Intercept" replaced "block". Example: Cloud Dragon can intercept only creatures with flying.
    • "Discard Pile" replaced "graveyard".
    • "Deck" replaced "library".

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Portal Spoiler List (TXT). Wizards.com (1997). Retrieved on 2007-07-13.
Magic: The Gathering sets
Advanced Level Core sets: Alpha, Beta, Unlimited, Revised, 4th Edition, 5th Edition, 6th Edition, 7th Edition, 8th Edition, 9th Edition, 10th Edition
Expert Level Early Sets
Arabian Nights, Antiquities, Legends, The Dark, Fallen Empires, Homelands
Expert Level Block Expansion Sets

Ice Age Block: Ice Age, Alliances, Coldsnap
Mirage Block: Mirage, Visions, Weatherlight
Rath Cycle: Tempest, Stronghold, Exodus
Urza Block: Urza's Saga, Urza's Legacy, Urza's Destiny
Masques Block: Mercadian Masques, Nemesis, Prophecy

Invasion Block: Invasion, Planeshift, Apocalypse
Odyssey Block: Odyssey, Torment, Judgment
Onslaught Block: Onslaught, Legions, Scourge
Mirrodin Block: Mirrodin, Darksteel, Fifth Dawn
Kamigawa Block: Champions of Kamigawa, Betrayers of Kamigawa, Saviors of Kamigawa

Ravnica Block: Ravnica: City of Guilds, Guildpact, Dissension
Time Spiral Block: Time Spiral, Planar Chaos, Future Sight
Lorwyn Mini-Block: Lorwyn, Morningtide
Shadowmoor Mini-Block: Shadowmoor, Eventide
Alara Block: Shards of Alara, Paper, Scissors

Un-Sets Starter Level Sets Compilations/reprint/gift box sets
Unglued, Unhinged

Portal, Portal Second Age, Portal Three Kingdoms, Starter, Starter 2000

Chronicles, Renaissance, Anthologies, Battle Royale, Beatdown, Deckmasters, Masters Edition, Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins, From the Vault: Dragons