How to read a Magic card

A modern card (2024)

High Fae Trickster, Foundations (2024), card 40. The frame used since 2015, with the info line Wizards prints since March of the Machine (2023). High Fae Trickster prices and printings.

• Top: name and cost
• Art and type line
• Text box
• Bottom: stats and the info line

NameThe card's name. Rules use the English name in every language.Mana costWhat you pay to cast it: 3 generic mana plus one blue. Mana value 4.IllustrationThe illustration. It has no effect on the game.Type lineCard type (Creature), then a dash and its subtypes (Faerie Wizard).Set symbolWhich set the card is from. Its colour shows rarity: gold is rare.KeywordFlash: you may cast it any time you could cast an instant.Reminder textItalic text in brackets explains a keyword. No effect on the game.Flavor textItalic story text under the rules. No effect on the game.Power / toughness4/2: it deals 4 combat damage and is destroyed by 2 damage.Info lineRarity, collector number, set code, language and artist. Zoomed in below.

NameCostArtTypeSetKeywordReminderFlavorP/TInfo line

The info line, magnified

Rarity letterCollector numberHolo stampSet codeLanguageArtistCopyright

Swipe to see the whole line.

• Rarity letterR = rare. C, U, R and M are common, uncommon, rare and mythic rare.
• Collector number0040: the card's place in the set list.
• Holo stampThe foil security stamp on rares and mythic rares.
• Set codeFDN = Foundations.
• LanguageEN = printed in English. On a foil copy the dot before it is a star (★).
• ArtistJustyna Dura, after the paintbrush.
• CopyrightWizards of the Coast's notice, with the year.

Top: name and cost

• NameThe card's name. Rules use the English name in every language.
• CostMana costWhat you pay to cast it: 3 generic mana plus one blue. Mana value 4.

Art and type line

• ArtIllustrationThe illustration. It has no effect on the game.
• TypeType lineCard type (Creature), then a dash and its subtypes (Faerie Wizard).
• SetSet symbolWhich set the card is from. Its colour shows rarity: gold is rare.

Text box

• KeywordFlash: you may cast it any time you could cast an instant.
• ReminderReminder textItalic text in brackets explains a keyword. No effect on the game.
• FlavorFlavor textItalic story text under the rules. No effect on the game.

Bottom: stats and the info line

• P/TPower / toughness4/2: it deals 4 combat damage and is destroyed by 2 damage.
• Info lineRarity, collector number, set code, language and artist. Zoomed in below.
• RarityRarity letterR = rare. C, U, R and M are common, uncommon, rare and mythic rare.
• NumberCollector number0040: the card's place in the set list.
• StampHolo stampThe foil security stamp on rares and mythic rares.
• Set codeFDN = Foundations.
• LanguageEN = printed in English. On a foil copy the dot before it is a star (★).
• ArtistJustyna Dura, after the paintbrush.
• ©CopyrightWizards of the Coast's notice, with the year.

• This scan is the non-foil card, so the dot between FDN and EN shows as a dot.

The codes at the bottom

The bottom left of the card changed four times. Find your card's year to know what to look for.

1. 1993 to mid-1998

   Illus. Douglas Schuler

   No collector number. The bottom shows the artist after "Illus." and a copyright mark. Core sets before Sixth Edition have no set symbol.

2. Exodus (1998) to mid-2014

   90/383

   The collector number over the set's card count, at the end of the copyright line. No rarity letter, set code or language: the set symbol shows the set, and its colour shows rarity. From the 2003 frame, a paintbrush marks the artist.

3. Magic 2015 (2014) to early 2023

   004/280 R · ZNR • EN

   The info line in the bottom left: the number over the card count and the rarity letter, then the set code, language and artist. Rares and mythic rares get a holo stamp.

4. March of the Machine (2023) to now

   R 0144 · MOM • EN

   The rarity letter comes first and the number has four digits, with no card count.

★ on foils.On a foil card from 2014 on, the dot between the set code and the language code is a star. On our site a ★ after a collector number (like 90★) is Scryfall's label for the foil version of an older card.

The List.Cards from The List are older cards reprinted with a small planeswalker symbol in the lower left corner. They keep the original set's code and number.

The 2003 frame (2003 to 2014)

Mahamoti Djinn, Tenth Edition (2007), card 90. Cards from 2003 to 2014 have no info line: the number sits at the end of the copyright line. Mahamoti Djinn prices and printings.

• Top: name and cost
• Art and type line
• Text box
• Bottom: stats and the info line

NameThe card's name. Rules use the English name in every language.Mana cost4 generic mana plus two blue. Mana value 6.IllustrationThe illustration. It has no effect on the game.Type lineCard type (Creature) and subtype (Djinn).Set symbolThe X is Tenth Edition. Gold means rare.KeywordFlying: it can be blocked only by creatures with flying or reach.Reminder textThe italic text in brackets explains the keyword. No effect on the game.Flavor textItalic story text. No effect on the game.Power / toughness5/6: deals 5 combat damage, survives up to 5 damage.ArtistGreg Staples, after the paintbrush.

NameCostArtTypeSetKeywordReminderFlavorP/TArtist

The info line, magnified

Copyright lineCollector number

Swipe to see the whole line.

• Copyright line™ & © 1993–2007 Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
• Collector number90/383: card 90 of the set's 383, at the end of the copyright line.

Top: name and cost

• NameThe card's name. Rules use the English name in every language.
• CostMana cost4 generic mana plus two blue. Mana value 6.

Art and type line

• ArtIllustrationThe illustration. It has no effect on the game.
• TypeType lineCard type (Creature) and subtype (Djinn).
• SetSet symbolThe X is Tenth Edition. Gold means rare.

Text box

• KeywordFlying: it can be blocked only by creatures with flying or reach.
• ReminderReminder textThe italic text in brackets explains the keyword. No effect on the game.
• FlavorFlavor textItalic story text. No effect on the game.

Bottom: stats and the info line

• P/TPower / toughness5/6: deals 5 combat damage, survives up to 5 damage.
• ArtistGreg Staples, after the paintbrush.
• ©Copyright line™ & © 1993–2007 Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
• NumberCollector number90/383: card 90 of the set's 383, at the end of the copyright line.

• No rarity letter, set code or language code: the set symbol carries the set and the rarity.
• No holo stamp: Wizards added it to rares with Magic 2015.

The original frame (1993)

Serra Angel, Limited Edition Alpha (1993). The first Magic cards: no set symbol, no collector number, no copyright line of their own. Serra Angel prices and printings.

• Top: name and cost
• Art and type line
• Text box
• Bottom: stats and the info line

NameThe card's name. Rules use the English name in every language.Mana cost3 generic mana plus two white. Mana value 5.IllustrationThe illustration. It has no effect on the game.Type line"Summon Angel" is the 1993 wording. Today's Oracle type line reads Creature — Angel.KeywordFlying: it can be blocked only by creatures with flying or reach.Rules text"Does not tap when attacking" is what the Oracle text now calls vigilance.Flavor textItalic story text. No effect on the game.Power / toughness4/4: deals 4 combat damage, survives up to 3 damage.Artist credit"Illus." and the artist's name, with a © mark. No separate copyright line.

NameCostArtTypeKeywordRulesFlavorP/TArtist

Top: name and cost

• NameThe card's name. Rules use the English name in every language.
• CostMana cost3 generic mana plus two white. Mana value 5.

Art and type line

• ArtIllustrationThe illustration. It has no effect on the game.
• TypeType line"Summon Angel" is the 1993 wording. Today's Oracle type line reads Creature — Angel.

Text box

• KeywordFlying: it can be blocked only by creatures with flying or reach.
• RulesRules text"Does not tap when attacking" is what the Oracle text now calls vigilance.
• FlavorFlavor textItalic story text. No effect on the game.

Bottom: stats and the info line

• P/TPower / toughness4/4: deals 4 combat damage, survives up to 3 damage.
• ArtistArtist credit"Illus." and the artist's name, with a © mark. No separate copyright line.

• No set symbol: core sets before Sixth Edition have none.
• No collector number: numbers started with Exodus in 1998.

A planeswalker

Chandra, Flameshaper, Foundations (2024), card 81. A planeswalker uses loyalty instead of power and toughness. Chandra, Flameshaper prices and printings.

• Top: name and cost
• Art and type line
• Text box
• Bottom: stats and the info line

NameThe card's name. Rules use the English name in every language.Mana cost5 generic mana plus two red. Mana value 7.IllustrationThe illustration. It has no effect on the game.Type lineLegendary is a supertype, Planeswalker the card type, Chandra the subtype.Set symbolIts colour shows rarity: red-orange is mythic rare.Loyalty ability (+)Add two loyalty counters, then do what it says. One loyalty ability per turn.Loyalty ability (−)Remove four loyalty counters to use it.Starting loyaltyShe enters with 6 loyalty counters. Damage dealt to her removes them.Info lineRarity, collector number, set code, language and artist. Zoomed in below.

NameCostArtTypeSet+ ability− abilityLoyaltyInfo line

The info line, magnified

Rarity letterCollector numberHolo stampSet codeLanguageArtistCopyright

Swipe to see the whole line.

• Rarity letterM = mythic rare. C, U, R and M are common, uncommon, rare and mythic rare.
• Collector number0081: the card's place in the set list.
• Holo stampThe foil security stamp on rares and mythic rares.
• Set codeFDN = Foundations.
• LanguageEN = printed in English. On a foil copy the dot before it is a star (★).
• ArtistMark Winters, after the paintbrush.
• CopyrightWizards of the Coast's notice, with the year.

Top: name and cost

• NameThe card's name. Rules use the English name in every language.
• CostMana cost5 generic mana plus two red. Mana value 7.

Art and type line

• ArtIllustrationThe illustration. It has no effect on the game.
• TypeType lineLegendary is a supertype, Planeswalker the card type, Chandra the subtype.
• SetSet symbolIts colour shows rarity: red-orange is mythic rare.

Text box

• + abilityLoyalty ability (+)Add two loyalty counters, then do what it says. One loyalty ability per turn.
• − abilityLoyalty ability (−)Remove four loyalty counters to use it.

Bottom: stats and the info line

• LoyaltyStarting loyaltyShe enters with 6 loyalty counters. Damage dealt to her removes them.
• Info lineRarity, collector number, set code, language and artist. Zoomed in below.
• RarityRarity letterM = mythic rare. C, U, R and M are common, uncommon, rare and mythic rare.
• NumberCollector number0081: the card's place in the set list.
• StampHolo stampThe foil security stamp on rares and mythic rares.
• Set codeFDN = Foundations.
• LanguageEN = printed in English. On a foil copy the dot before it is a star (★).
• ArtistMark Winters, after the paintbrush.
• ©CopyrightWizards of the Coast's notice, with the year.

Frames and treatments

Borderless

The art goes all the way to the edge of the card, with no border.

Showcase

A stylized frame made for one set's theme (first in Throne of Eldraine, 2019).

Extended art

The art runs out to the left and right edges of the card; mostly in Collector Boosters.

Full art

The art fills the whole card and the text sits on top of it, as on full-art basic lands.

Retro frame

A new printing in the pre-2003 frame, used as a special treatment since 2021.

The List

An older card reprinted with a small planeswalker symbol in the lower left corner.

Promo Pack stamp

A planeswalker symbol in the lower right of the art marks a Promo Pack card.