Magic: The
Gathering Set Spotlight: Chronicles

Release Date: July 1995

Introduction to Chronicles

‘Chronicles’ is a unique and historically significant expansion set
within the world of Magic: The Gathering, released in July 1995. It
stands out as a compilation set that reprints cards from earlier
expansions, making them more widely available to players and collectors.
‘Chronicles’ is known for its impact on the game’s history and the
controversy it generated during its release.

Preserving Magic’s History

‘Chronicles’ was designed as a way to preserve and share the cards
from some of Magic’s earliest sets. It reintroduced key cards to the
player base and allowed new players to access older, often rare,
cards.

Notable Features and Themes

‘Chronicles’ introduced several notable features and themes:

• Card Reprints: The set features reprints of
  cards from earlier sets, including ‘Antiquities,’ ‘Arabian Nights,’ ‘The
  Dark,’ and ‘Legends.’

• Expanded Play: ‘Chronicles’ made older cards
  more readily available, which expanded the variety of cards in play and
  encouraged creativity among players.

• Diverse Themes: With reprints from multiple
  earlier sets, ‘Chronicles’ offers a wide range of themes, from
  historical to legendary and everything in between.

Notable Cards from Chronicles

‘Chronicles’ includes a collection of reprinted cards that left their
mark on the game’s history. Some of the most notable cards include:

• Blood Moon: A red enchantment that can disrupt
  opponents’ mana bases, emphasizing strategic card use.

• Mishra’s Workshop: A land card that offers the
  potential for powerful artifact-based decks, showing the importance of
  synergy in deck building.

• Nether Shadow: A black creature card that
  interacts with the graveyard, introducing complex mechanics to the
  game.

The Chronicles Expansion Symbol

‘Chronicles’ doesn’t feature a unique expansion symbol, as it
primarily reprints cards from earlier sets. Instead, the cards display
symbols from their original releases.

Historical Significance

‘Chronicles’ holds historical significance as a set that reshaped the
availability of older cards and played a role in popularizing Magic.
However, its release generated controversy due to concerns about card
values and game balance.

A Collector’s Treasure

For collectors, ‘Chronicles’ remains an essential part of Magic’s
history, offering access to cards from Magic’s early days. It showcases
the game’s evolution and the enduring appeal of classic cards.