Wizards of the Coast (WotC) has a well-known policy regarding the reprinting of 1st Edition Magic: The Gathering (MTG) cards, particularly those from the earliest sets such as Alpha, Beta, and Unlimited. The company established the “Reserved List” in 1996, which is a list of cards from these early sets and some subsequent ones that WotC has committed never to reprint in any tournament-legal, non-premium form. This policy was created to protect the value of these original cards and maintain collector confidence. As a result, **Wizards has never reprinted 1st Edition cards in standard sets or regular print runs** since the Reserved List was implemented[1][4].
The Reserved List initially included all cards from Alpha and Beta that were not reprinted in Fourth Edition or Ice Age, including the iconic Power Nine cards, as well as rare cards from Arabian Nights, Antiquities, Legends, and The Dark that had not been reprinted with a white border. Over time, more cards from sets like Ice Age and the Urza block were added to the list. Importantly, no cards from Mercadian Masques or later sets were added to the Reserved List, marking a clear cutoff point for this policy[1].
In 2010, Wizards briefly allowed reprints of Reserved List cards as premium foil versions in special products like Duel Decks and From the Vault series. However, this move was met with significant backlash from the community, as it was seen as undermining the original promise of the Reserved List. Consequently, Wizards revised the policy again in 2011, stating that no Reserved List cards could be reprinted in any form that would be tournament-legal, including premium foils[1].
Therefore, while Wizards has reprinted many cards from early Magic sets in various forms, **they have strictly avoided reprinting any cards that were part of the 1st Edition print runs if those cards are on the Reserved List**. This means that the original 1st Edition cards remain unique and highly valued, with no official reprints diluting their rarity or value.
Regarding medical or health-related information, there are no direct medical claims or health-related content associated with the reprinting of Magic cards by Wizards of the Coast. Thus, no authoritative medical sources are applicable or necessary in this context.
In summary, Wizards of the Coast has never reprinted 1st Edition Magic cards that are on the Reserved List in any standard or tournament-legal form since the policy’s inception, preserving their rarity and collector value. The only exceptions were limited premium foil reprints between 2010 and 2011, which were quickly discontinued due to community response[1][4].
