Magic 2010: The Core Set Changes for Magic The Gathering

Wizards of the Coast (WotC)has changed the way they do their core set. Instead of Eleventh Edition, the next Magic The Gathering core set will be called Magic 2010, or M10 for short.

Also, there are a lot of other changes for the core set.

For Magic 2010 and future core set, WotC is releasing cards that are more flavorful and less driven by mechanics. WotC wants to bring Magic The Gathering closer to its fantasy roots.  This means we'll be seeing cards that fans in the fantasy genre can easily identify with.

I like this move because it should attract players from other games like Dungeons and Dragons and role playing computer games.

Roughly half of the cards in the core set will be new cards. I like this move because it makes core sets relevant again.

Let's face it. The last few core sets have been irrelevant. Nobody talked about them since all the cards were reprints. I'm sure the sales were pretty low too. Why print cards that no one will buy?

With these new cards, people might actually draft core sets again.

That's what WotC is counting on since they are also supporting Magic 2010 for sanctioned tournaments. M10 will be designed with sealed and draft in mind. It will even have its own prerelease and Grand Prix limited events!

As a tournament MTG player that loves playing limited, I was definitely excited to hear this news.  Usually in the summer, there is a lull in limited play.  Typically, the new core set is released in the summer, but most people don't draft it because core sets are not very fun to play.  However, with the new cards, drafters will be excited to open Magic 2010 booster packs.

While the MTG community response has been mostly positive, some players are criticizing the move as a money grab by WotC.

Yes, WotC does want to sell more cards, but I don't think these changes are too extreme or greedy. WotC has already shrunk its expansion sets. That move lowered the prices for the rare cards and it made it easier to collect full sets.

Also, Magic 2010 will only have about 100 new cards so it won't be too hard to collect them.

And in the end, if we want Magic The Gathering to survive, WotC needs to sell cards. If every player stopped buying cards, WotC would stop releasing new cards, which would make the game much less fun. Fortunately, these core set changes should attract a bunch of new players and keep the game alive and well.