The **Base Set Unlimited** of Magic: The Gathering originally consisted of 302 cards. When Wizards of the Coast introduced the **color shift** in the early 1990s, it affected a subset of these cards by changing the color of their card frames and sometimes their artwork to better represent their mana color identity. This color shift was part of the transition from the original Alpha and Beta sets to the Unlimited print run and later expansions, aiming to clarify card colors and improve visual distinction.
Specifically, the **Base Set Unlimited** cards that were affected by the color shift were those that had originally ambiguous or less distinct color borders in the Alpha and Beta sets. The Unlimited set standardized the card frame colors to match the five Magic colors: white, blue, black, red, and green. This meant that cards that were previously printed with a more neutral or less saturated border color were updated to the now-familiar colored borders that clearly indicated their mana color.
The exact number of cards affected by this color shift in the Base Set Unlimited is generally understood to be the entire set of 302 cards, as the Unlimited set was a reprint of the original Alpha and Beta cards with the new color frame design. However, some cards had additional minor changes in artwork or text to align with the evolving game rules and aesthetics, but the primary change was the color frame shift.
This color shift was significant because it helped players more easily identify card colors during gameplay, which is crucial for deck building and strategy. It also set a precedent for future Magic sets, where color identity and frame design became standardized and more visually distinct.
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In summary, the **entire Base Set Unlimited (302 cards)** was affected by the color shift, as this set was the first to feature the now-standard colored card frames that replaced the more neutral or less distinct borders of the Alpha and Beta sets. This change was a key step in the visual evolution of Magic: The Gathering cards.
