Released · Set Guide

Eighth Edition

The core set that introduced the modern card frame and marks the start of the Modern format.

ReleasedJul 28, 2003

Set Codes8ED

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Overview Format Legality FAQ

Release dateJuly 28, 2003

Set code8ED

Cards350 (342 different)

Modern legalYes, the first Modern set

Standard legalNo

The first Modern set, in the new frame

What this set is

Eighth Edition is the core set where today's card frame began, replacing the frame design Magic had used since 1993. It is also where the Modern format starts, so every card in it is Modern-legal unless Modern bans it, and none is.

It has 350 numbered cards, and the catalog lists a premium foil of each plus a handful of extra cards from its starter product. Compared with Seventh Edition it brought in 167 cards and dropped 160.

Birds of Paradise, Rampant Growth, City of Brass, Phyrexian Arena, Diabolic Tutor and Grave Pact are among the cards Commander players most often own from it.

Phyrexian Arena ↗

An extra card every turn

Grave Pact ↗

Your losses become theirs

Diabolic Tutor ↗

Any card, four mana

City of Brass ↗

Any color, 1 damage

Where You Can Play It

Format legality

Eighth Edition is a single code and the first set Modern includes.

8ED Core set

ModernLegacyVintageCommander

Not Standard-legal, and never Pioneer-legal: Pioneer starts at Return to Ravnica (October 2012). Everything here is legal in Modern, Legacy, Vintage and Commander unless a ban list says otherwise. Nothing here is banned in Modern, Legacy or Commander. Vintage restricts Merchant Scroll. Commons from any set are Pauper-legal; that isn't listed per set here.

Boosters, precons and singles from Eighth Edition are on TCGplayer.

FAQ

Common questions

Where can I play Eighth Edition cards?

In Modern, Legacy, Vintage and Commander, minus the cards each format bans. Eighth Edition left Standard long ago and was never in Pioneer, which starts in 2012. It is the first set in Modern.

Why does Modern start at Eighth Edition?

Modern was defined as every set from Eighth Edition on, the first set printed in the modern card frame.

Is anything from Eighth Edition banned in Modern?

No. Nothing from it is banned in Modern, Legacy or Commander.

All card names, art, and mechanics belong to Wizards of the Coast. Eighth Edition released on Jul 28, 2003; details reflect the set as published. Sources: Wizards of the Coast set pages and release notes, Draftsim, Untapped.gg.

Playing Eighth Edition in Commander?

TurnZero HQ keeps deck records, MMR, and moments for every Commander night, so you can see which new cards are actually earning their slot.

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