Magic pre-release in my proximity Last weekend, my friends and I had the opportunity to attend a magic pre-release event in our local area. It was an exhilarating experience filled with excitement and anticipation. **The main idea was to bring together Magic players from all around the neighborhood to play with the newest set of cards before its official release.** The event was held at a nearby gaming store that had become a popular hub for Magic enthusiasts in our community. As we walked into the store, we were greeted by the sight of rows upon rows of eager players, all ready to delve into the magical world of the latest expansion of the game. It was a fantastic atmosphere filled with passion and enthusiasm.
It was a fantastic atmosphere filled with passion and enthusiasm. **One of the key highlights of the magic pre-release was the opportunity to open packs of the new cards and build decks right there on the spot.** Each participating player received a pre-release kit containing a set number of booster packs and other essential elements to construct a deck.
(P)Re-release 25 years in the making
There are a lot of cool things about living in Toronto, like it being the most diverse city on the planet, it’s proximity to the Great Lakes, amazing food, and a fantastic Magic Scene. On of the coolest things about it though is that in 1995, the first ever Pre-release for a Magic expansion happened right here for Ice Age. (note: it was not DCI sanctioned, so WotC sees Homelands as the first official pre-release) This happens to be one of my all time favorite expansions because I was finally able to get black border basics for my white deck, and it was the first self contained expansion ever. Sold in Boosters and Starters, included new art for the lands, new art for a lot of cards actually, and had some wonderful functional reprints, and although it didn’t lean into the Snow Matters mechanic as hard as it should have, it was still a fun new twist on the game.
beautiful Chris Rush panorama via Owen
Additionally, this set introduced us to what are now known as Cantrips; small spells that allow the caster to draw a card. Granted, in Ice Age that card doesn’t come until the next upkeep, but still pretty powerful, especially on a zero cost artifact like Urza’s Bauble. It was Gitaxian Probe long before that was a thing.
I was not around Toronto at the time of this release as I was still living in Ohio with my folks, but I do remember going to a Sealed Ice Age event. My first one actually, and it would be ~20 years before I ever played any sort of Sealed event again. I knew nothing of the set, so went in completely blind, along with my friend Nick, and we just played games. I’m fairly certain I did terribly and don’t remember much about the event itself, but I was hooked on Ice Age. Hell, despite having sold my collection in the early 2000s, I kept a Booster Box and Rule Book from this as well as Revised.
advertisement in InQuest #3
Today, 6 June 2020 is just over 25 years since that historic event took place, and I’d been planning to host an Ice Age event today, but then Covid-19 happened, and I made the decision that an online event wasn’t what I envisioned for it, so I’ve put it on hold. I’m quite bummed about it because 25th anniversaries only happen once, but that’s the way of things.
Instead, let’s look at the history of the first ever Magic Pre-release through the eyes of some InQuest employees. From InQuest issue #4, and these pics are courtesy of Greg, thanks for grabbing these pics for me. In today’s always connected, spoiler filled world, it’s almost unimaginable to go to an event and blindly open up a starter and two boosters and have no idea what to expect. The excitement of that must have been amazing.
The organizers of the event really played it up as something special, and particularly Canadian while also showing that Magic was a worldwide phenomenon, not just a game for the US market. The event coincided with Canadian Nationals, and the winner of the Sealed Tournament got a spot in the Pro tour. That winner was Dave Humpherys and I’ve not been able to find any details on what his Sealed pool looked like, but I’d love more information about that.
Some of the most hyped cards in Ice Age were, without a doubt, the Icy Manipulator reprint with Amy Weber art, or Jester’s Cap. The latter became the chase card in the set for quite some time. In modern day Magic, it’s not that uncommon to get to see more of your opponent’s cards, but in 1995, being able to look through their entire deck? Oh my was it a thing! In a time where deck tech was closely guarded at the professional tier, this card was a powerhouse. Sure, it’s six mana to make it happen, but that’s worth every bit in my opinion.
There are many other cards in this massive expansion that could make up a series of posts, such as Necropotence, Dance of the Dead, Brainstorm, Lhurgoyf, Enduring Renewal, Stormbind.. The list goes on.
This is all well and good, but what’s going on with this set nowadays? Well, there’s the ALICE format, which consists solely of cards in Alliances and Ice Age, making it by far one of the cheapest old formats to play. There’s also the “middle” formats, Middle School, Pre-Modern, and Hextended, all of which include this set. And of course, there are various flavors of OS-95 around, which tend to consist of Alpha through Ice Age or Homelands.
I feel like I’m rambling now, so I’ll stop, but keep in mind that Toronto will have another Ice Age event, although I won’t be able to use the sweet title for that event, so I used it for this post instead.
beautiful Chris Rush panorama via Owen
It was an exhilarating feeling as we opened the packs and discovered the powerful and intriguing new cards within. Once we had our cards, we set out to construct our decks, carefully selecting each card to ensure synergy and strategic gameplay. This process allowed us to showcase our creative thinking and deck-building skills while getting a first-hand experience with the new cards. It was fascinating to witness the different approaches and strategies employed by the players in constructing their decks. After constructing our decks, we engaged in a series of competitive matches against other participants. **The main idea of these matches was to test our skills and strategies with the newly released cards, and also get a feel for the overall balance of the new expansion.** The matches were intense, with players strategizing their moves and making critical decisions based on the limited knowledge they had of the new cards. It was an exciting and challenging experience that truly tested our abilities as Magic players. Throughout the event, we also had the opportunity to interact with other players, exchange knowledge and strategies, and form new friendships within the Magic community. It was a great way to build connections and share our love for the game with like-minded individuals. The sense of camaraderie and mutual respect among the players created a positive and welcoming environment that added to the overall enjoyment of the pre-release event. In conclusion, attending the magic pre-release event in my proximity was an amazing experience. **The main idea was to give players a taste of the new expansion and a chance to engage in friendly competition with fellow Magic enthusiasts.** It provided an exciting opportunity to open the latest packs, construct innovative decks, and showcase our skills in strategic gameplay. Moreover, the event fostered a sense of community and connection among the players, making it a truly memorable experience..
Reviews for "Embrace the Enchantment: Pre-Release Events in My Local Community"
1. John - 2/5: I was really excited to attend the Magic pre-release event in my area, but I left feeling disappointed. The organization was chaotic, with long lines and disorganized staff. The atmosphere was tense, and it was hard to enjoy the game with so much noise and distractions. Additionally, the event felt overcrowded, and it was difficult to find a comfortable spot to play. Overall, it was not the enjoyable experience I was hoping for.
2. Sarah - 1/5: I had high expectations for the Magic pre-release in my proximity, but unfortunately, it fell short. The venue was too small for the number of people attending, and it felt cramped and claustrophobic. The event was poorly managed, with delays in starting matches and a lack of communication from the organizers. The quality of the space and amenities was also subpar, with uncomfortable seating and limited bathroom facilities. I left feeling frustrated and will think twice before attending another event by the same organizers.
3. Mike - 2/5: The Magic pre-release event in my area was a disappointment. The location chosen was far from convenient, and parking was a nightmare. Once inside, it was evident that the venue was not adequately prepared to accommodate the number of participants. The tournament started late, and the rounds felt rushed, leaving little time to truly enjoy the game. The overall atmosphere was underwhelming, and it didn't live up to the hype surrounding the event. I would have expected better planning and organization.