After two weeks of complaints from the Magic: The Gathering community, Wizards of the Coast formally revealed several changes taking place in the MTG Arena Historic format.
The Historic format is still coming to MTG Arena on Sept. 26, but several changes have been implemented since the State of the Beta update. Feeling the pressure from the Magic community, WoTC has now reversed the 2:1 wildcard redemption. From here on out, all cards need only one wildcard to unlock.
Related: WotC changes 2:1 wildcard ratio within Historic format via MTG Arena
Since the late September announcement of changes in Historic, WotC has updated the rollout for the controversial format in MTG Arena. Targeted toward more experienced Magic players, the format will reward players for daily progression in a new ranked best-of-three mode.
Historic in Magic Arena is designed specifically as a digital format, separate from Pioneer and Modern in tabletop. Broken down into seasons on a quarterly basis, players can rank in the format with new cards being added each season. Each season is classified as a Historic Anthology, with the first one beginning on Nov. 21.
Historic Anthology 1 will include the following:
- 20 new Magic cards added to the Historic format on Nov. 21.
- Quarterly new card drops planned for the future.
- The addition of a Historic ranked queue from Nov. 21 to Jan. 15.
- A Historic best-of-three tournament at the end of the ranked season.
- Historic events beginning in January 2020.
Related: MTG Arena is getting 20 new Historic format cards
A Historic Play queue will remain in MTG Arena as a best-of-one format designed for playtesting and casual matches. Daily progression and rank aren’t rewarded from matches played in the Play queue.
Every season will feature new cards being added to the Historic format, along with a ranked queue and a best-of-three tournament at the end of the Anthology season. During the offseason, players can stay competitive through evergreen best-of-three events.
Historic Anthology II was released on March 12, containing a total of 25 cards that were added to the format.
- Ancestral Mask
- Barren Moor
- Bojuka Bog
- Brain Maggot
- Dragonmaster Outcast
- Forgotten Cave
- Ghost Quarter
- Goblin Ruinblaster
- Inexorable Tide
- Knight of the ReliquaryLonely Sandbar
- Maelstrom Pulse
- Meddling Mage
- Merrow Reejerey
- Nyx-Fleece Ram
- Pack Rat
- Platinum Angel
- Ranger of Eos
- Secluded Steppe
- Sigil of the Empty Throne
- Terravore
- Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
- Tranquil Thicket
- Virulent Plague
- Waste Not
Historic Anthology III was released on May 21, containing a total of 27 cards added to the format.
- Honden of Cleansing Fire
- Momentary Blink
- Tempered Steel
- Timely Reinforcements
- Body Double
- Honden of Seeing Winds
- Silent Departure
- Swan Song
- Chainer’s Edict
- Gempalm Polluter
- Honden of Night’s Reach
- Phyrexian Obliterator
- Unburial Rites
- Devil’s Play
- Gempalm Incinerator
- Honden of Infinite Rage
- Tectonic Reformation
- Enchantress’s Presence
- Honden of Life’s Web
- Krosan Tusker
- Roar of the Wurm
- Mirari’s Wake
- Akroma’s Memorial
- Ratchet Bomb
- Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger
- Ancient Ziggurat
- Maze’s End
Over 500 cards from the MTG Jumpstart set were added to MTG Arena Historic on July 16. These cards are available to unlock via wildcards or can be acquired during a Jumpstart event. A full rundown on how to play a Jumpstart event can be found here, along with best the best-themed packs to choose.
Following the Jumpstart release, WotC added another 300 plus cards to Historic via Amonkhet Remastered. A rundown of the best cards from the set can be found here. Players can also purchase Amonkhet Remastered booster packs in the Arena store.
Updated Aug. 25, 2020 4:45pm CT: A list of cards from Historic Anthology two and three was added. In addition, information regarding Jumpstart and the Amonkhet Remastered set was also added.
