MTG Unlimited Edition was the third print run of Magic’s original core set, arriving in December 1993. It carried forward the same 302 cards from the Beta release but shifted from black borders to white, a design choice meant to distinguish these reprints from the scarcer Alpha and Beta runs. Unlike its predecessors, Unlimited had a much larger print run—around 40 million cards—which made it significantly more accessible to new players.
Sold in both starter decks and booster packs, MTG Unlimited Edition played a vital role in expanding the game’s early player base while still offering the legendary Power Nine and original dual lands. Here’s a full guide to the Unlimited Edition of Magic: The Gathering, from the sealed products to the top cards you can find on the secondary market.
MTG Unlimited Edition Sealed Products
- 1993 Unlimited Edition Booster Box – A full box contained 36 booster packs, each with 15 cards. Finding sealed boxes today is exceptionally rare and represents one of the highest tiers of Magic sealed collecting.
- 1993 Unlimited Edition Booster Pack – These packs offered a direct way to chase Power Nine cards. Due to the set’s age and collectibility, unopened packs are now scarce and command premium attention from collectors.
- 1993 Unlimited Edition Starter Deck– Starter decks contained 60 cards, including basic lands and a guaranteed rare. These products were designed to help new players learn the game but are now sought-after sealed relics of Magic’s early history.
Top 25 MTG Unlimited Edition Cards
25. Copy Artifact (Unlimited Edition 1993)
Copy Artifact can replicate any artifact on the battlefield, making it one of the most flexible spells from Magic’s early days. It has fueled combo strategies for decades, particularly in Vintage where fast mana and artifacts dominate. Collectors appreciate it for its versatility and striking blue border aesthetic in Unlimited. High-grade PSA and BGS copies remain a steady target among investors looking for undervalued early staples.
24. Word of Command (Unlimited Edition 1993)
Word of Command is one of the strangest and most flavorful spells ever printed, allowing a player to temporarily control an opponent’s choices. The card’s unusual mechanics make it a favorite for collectors of oddities and misprints. It never became a competitive staple, but its uniqueness ensures steady niche demand. Unlimited versions remain prized due to their lower barrier compared to Alpha and Beta copies.
23. Shivan Dragon (Unlimited Edition 1993)
Once the face of Magic, Shivan Dragon represented raw power and fantasy appeal for new players. While no longer competitively viable, it remains an iconic creature that shaped early gameplay. Unlimited printings are more affordable than their black-bordered predecessors, making them ideal for nostalgic collectors. Its fiery Richard Thomas artwork continues to be one of Magic’s most recognizable images.
22. Gauntlet of Might (Unlimited Edition 1993)
This powerful artifact boosts red creatures and mana, cementing its place in early competitive decks. Its Reserved List status guarantees that it will never be reprinted, preserving long-term value. Collectors prize it for its rarity since it was only printed in Alpha, Beta, and Unlimited. With Commander players increasingly experimenting with mono-red builds, demand has remained surprisingly strong.
21. Forcefield (Unlimited Edition 1993)
Forcefield offered a unique defensive tool, reducing incoming damage to just one point per attack. Its effect was especially valuable in control decks that needed time to stabilize. The card’s rarity and Reserved List protection make it a staple among high-end collectors. Unlimited versions are particularly attractive since Alpha and Beta copies are nearly unattainable.
20. Savannah (Unlimited Edition 1993)
Savannah is the original green-white dual land, offering reliable mana for Selesnya strategies. Dual lands remain some of the most powerful and enduring cards in Magic’s history. Unlimited copies are more attainable than Alpha or Beta but still hold strong market value. Collectors see them as cornerstones of any dual land portfolio.
19. Plateau (Unlimited Edition 1993)
As the red-white dual land, Plateau supported early Boros-style decks long before the guild existed. It is often among the less expensive duals, but it remains a key part of the Reserved List cycle. Collectors value it for completeness when assembling full sets of the original dual lands. Unlimited printings offer a balance of availability and investment appeal.
18. Scrubland (Unlimited Edition 1993)
Scrubland provides black-white mana, making it a foundational land for Orzhov strategies. It was critical in early tournament formats, supporting aggressive and control builds alike. Investors view it as a long-term safe hold due to Reserved List protection. Collectors prize Unlimited copies for their relative accessibility compared to Beta.
17. Bayou (Unlimited Edition 1993)
Bayou is the green-black dual land, beloved for its synergy in midrange and ramp decks. Its consistent competitive play over the years has driven high demand. Unlimited copies, while less scarce than Beta, remain premium assets in the dual land market. Many collectors see Bayou as one of the most reliable duals for both play and value retention.
16. Badlands (Unlimited Edition 1993)
Badlands enables black-red strategies and was a staple in early Rakdos-style decks. Its continued use in Legacy and Commander helps sustain demand. Collectors often target it to round out full dual land collections. High-grade Unlimited copies are particularly valuable due to centering issues in early print runs.
15. Taiga (Unlimited Edition 1993)
Taiga, the red-green dual land, remains one of the most beloved for Gruul players. It has appeared in countless competitive archetypes across Magic’s history. The Reserved List ensures long-term scarcity, making Unlimited copies attractive investment pieces. Its evergreen playability makes it a dual land that never falls out of favor.
14. Wheel of Fortune (Unlimited Edition 1993)
Wheel of Fortune lets all players discard and draw seven cards, creating massive game swings. It became one of the most infamous red spells, banned in Commander due to its power. Collectors chase Unlimited versions for both nostalgia and rarity. The combination of Reserved List status and iconic gameplay ensures lasting value.
13. Tundra (Unlimited Edition 1993)
Tundra, the blue-white dual land, has long been a control player’s dream. It anchors powerful archetypes in Legacy and Commander, ensuring high demand. Unlimited versions are still pricey but represent a lower entry point than Beta copies. Collectors and investors both regard it as a premium dual land.
12. Underground Sea (Unlimited Edition 1993)
Underground Sea is widely considered the best dual land ever printed, supporting blue-black control and combo decks. Its consistent presence in eternal formats has fueled decades of demand. Unlimited copies are among the most expensive cards in the set outside the Power Nine. Collectors consistently rank it as a must-have for high-end portfolios.
11. Time Vault (Unlimited Edition 1993)
Time Vault has a notorious history of errata and broken combos, often enabling infinite turns. While its power led to heavy restrictions, collectors love it for its infamy. Unlimited copies remain highly collectible due to its role in Magic’s most degenerate strategies. Investors treat it as one of the set’s most historically significant artifacts.
10. Tropical Island (Unlimited Edition 1993)
Tropical Island offers blue-green mana and supports strategies ranging from ramp to control. It has remained a staple in Legacy and Commander, ensuring ongoing demand. Unlimited copies are consistently high-value pieces for collectors. Its iconic place in the dual land cycle cements it as a long-term investment.
9. Chaos Orb (Unlimited Edition 1993)
Chaos Orb introduced a dexterity-based mechanic, requiring players to physically flip the card. While banned in sanctioned play, it has become one of the most collectible oddities in Magic’s history. Unlimited printings are especially attractive for those priced out of Alpha and Beta. Its uniqueness ensures it will always be remembered as a piece of Magic lore.
8. Time Walk (Unlimited Edition 1993)
Time Walk is one of the most efficient spells ever printed, granting an extra turn for just two mana. Its status as part of the Power Nine makes it a grail card for collectors. Unlimited versions are among the most valuable cards in the set. Its simple yet broken design continues to fascinate players and investors alike.
7. Ancestral Recall (Unlimited Edition 1993)
Drawing three cards for one mana is an effect that remains unparalleled. Ancestral Recall sits among the most famous blue cards in Magic’s history. Its Unlimited printing is still extremely expensive, though more accessible than Alpha or Beta copies. Collectors regard it as one of the most efficient spells ever created.
6. Mox Emerald (Unlimited Edition 1993)
Mox Emerald provided free green mana, accelerating strategies from the very first turns. As part of the Power Nine, it represents some of Magic’s most broken design. Collectors value Unlimited versions as entry points into the Mox cycle. High-grade copies remain in constant demand at auction houses.
5. Mox Pearl (Unlimited Edition 1993)
The white Mox fueled aggressive white strategies, giving decks unmatched early tempo. Its Unlimited printing ensures more collectors can own a piece of the Power Nine. Condition plays a major role in value, with pristine copies commanding premium prices. Its iconic design makes it one of the most recognizable artifacts ever printed.
4. Mox Jet (Unlimited Edition 1993)
Mox Jet, the black Mox, is a favorite among collectors for its synergy with powerful black spells. It accelerated devastating strategies built around discard and removal. Unlimited copies are slightly more available than Alpha and Beta but still fetch huge prices. As one of the Power Nine, it is central to high-end collections.
3. Mox Ruby (Unlimited Edition 1993)
Mox Ruby provided early red mana, supporting aggressive burn and dragon strategies. Its status as a Power Nine artifact makes it an essential chase card. Unlimited versions remain highly valuable, with pristine grades skyrocketing in price. Collectors often seek to complete full Mox sets, making Ruby indispensable.
2. Mox Sapphire (Unlimited Edition 1993)
The blue Mox is the most coveted of the five due to blue’s dominance in competitive formats. It gave control and combo decks lightning-fast acceleration. Unlimited Sapphire ranks among the most expensive cards in the entire set. For collectors, it is second only to one card in prestige and value.
1. Black Lotus (Unlimited Edition 1993)
Black Lotus is the crown jewel of Magic: The Gathering. It produces three mana of any color at zero cost, creating explosive starts unmatched by any other card. Even Unlimited versions, with their higher print run, are valued in the tens of thousands. For collectors, investors, and players alike, Black Lotus is the ultimate symbol of Magic’s history and prestige.
MTG Unlimited remains one of the most significant early sets in Magic’s history. While it lacked the extreme scarcity of Alpha and Beta, it offered the same legendary cards at a scale that allowed Magic to explode in popularity. For collectors today, Unlimited Edition cards bridge the gap between playability and prestige, offering vintage white-bordered classics that shaped the foundation of the game
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