Did Wizards of the Coast release the fourth print run of Magic: The Gathering cards at the same time as the Jungle expansion set? No, they did not. The fourth edition, often just called Fourth Edition, came out in April 1995, while Jungle, which was the first set in the Mirage block and nicknamed that by fans for its green-heavy theme, launched several months later in late October 1995. These releases were spaced out by Wizards to keep players buying and playing without everything hitting stores at once.
To understand this, let’s step back to the early days of Magic: The Gathering. The game exploded onto the scene in 1993 with its very first set, Alpha, followed quickly by Beta and Unlimited. By 1994, Wizards had put out more expansions like Arabian Nights, Antiquities, Legends, and The Dark, which dropped on August 8, 1994. The Dark was a tough set to print because of production hiccups, and it wrapped up what fans called the early era. Players were hungry for something new, something polished.
Enter Fourth Edition. Wizards announced it as a big revision to the core rules and cards. It was not a full new expansion but a revised core set, meaning it reprinted a bunch of the best cards from before with tweaks to balance the game. Think of it like a big update to make Magic easier for new players. The official release date was April 1, 1995, according to detailed MTG set archives.[6] Some sources pin it exactly to that day for the main 380-card set.[6] This was huge because it introduced modern card frames—those clean borders we still see today—and made rules clearer, like fixing how damage worked in combat.
Now, about print runs. Fourth Edition had multiple printings because Magic was selling like crazy. The first print was the main one in April 1995, but Wizards kept the presses running. There were foreign black-bordered versions also dated around April 1, 1995.[6] Later printings added things like white borders or revised art to distinguish them. A popular YouTube unboxing from 2025 shows a 1995 Fourth Edition gift box with starter decks, glass counters, and even a Duelist magazine insert.[4] The guy opening it talks about the excitement around booster packs with real art on them, and he notes repricing stickers, hinting at ongoing production.[4] These extra printings happened over months, not all at once, to meet demand without flooding the market.
Jump ahead to Jungle. Officially, it’s Mirage, released October 20, 1995, though some lists say late October.[1] Mirage kicked off the Mirage block with its desert themes, serpents, and that iconic green mana focus—hence the Jungle fan name. Wizards timed it after Fourth Edition to build hype. Summer 1995 saw other releases like Ice Age in June, then compilations like Chronicles in July and Renaissance in August.[1] Fourth Edition’s later printings trickled out through 1995, but nothing lines up exactly with Mirage’s drop. Archives confirm no simultaneous release; Fourth was core set stuff from spring, Mirage was a fresh expansion.[1][6]
Why does this matter? Back then, Wizards was learning how to pace releases. Early sets like The Dark had shortages, so Fourth Edition’s multiple printings helped stabilize supply.[7] By Mirage, they had a rhythm: core sets or revisions first, then block expansions. Formats were evolving too. Tournament play was casual, but Fourth Edition helped standardize things leading into Modern’s future rules, which cut off before it anyway.[3] No big overlap in release parties or stock—stores got Fourth boosters through summer, then shifted to cracking Mirage packs.
Players remember it fondly. That 1995 gift box video captures the vibe: two starter decks packed with uncommons like Desert Twister and Library of Leng, perfect for teaching friends.[4] Mirage brought wild cards like Typhoon Cobra and Hakim, Loreweaver, shifting metas toward control and beatdown decks. If Wizards had dumped a fourth print of Fourth Edition right with Mirage, it might have confused newbies—old core cards mixing with new block stuff.
Dig into the timeline more. Post-Fourth, Homelands hit October 14, 1995, right before Mirage.[1] That’s another expansion, showing Wizards staggered everything. Fourth’s print runs were about reprinting hits like Serra Angel or Llanowar Elves with better art, not tying to Jungle’s new mechanics. Fan sites and wikis confirm: Fourth Edition boxed sets and boosters were 1995 staples, but the “fourth print” specifically refers to later waves of that core set, not synced to October.[5][6]
Some mix-ups happen because of product bundles. There were starter sets like Rivals Quick Start in June 1996, the first true box set, but that’s post-Mirage.[5] Or gift boxes tied to Fourth.[4] Nothing medical here—no health claims, just card game history. Wizards’ strategy was clear: spread releases to keep the game alive. Fourth Edition stabilized the base, Jungle expanded the world.
Over time, this pattern stuck. Look at later years—sets like Bloomburrow in 2024 or Aetherdrift in February 2025 show the same spacing.[1][2] Even Commander decks drop separately, like Duskmourn’s on September 7, 2024, before the main set.[1] Early on, no simultaneous push for Fourth’s fourth print and Jungle.
Collectors chase these now. Fourth Edition cards aren’t powerhouses like Alpha Black Lotus, but sealed product holds value. That unboxing pulls out cards worth noting, though not $400 singles.[4] Mirage introduced staples still played today. If you’re hunting, check print indicators—early Fourth has circle icons, later ones too, but all predate Jungle proper.
The myth of simultaneous release might come from overlapping availability. Stores sold leftover Fourth boosters while prepping Mirage prereleases. But official dates don’t match.[1][6] Wizards announced each separately to hype them up. Prerelease events for Mirage were in early October 1995, with Fourth long stocked.
In player stories, folks recall transitioning: sleeving up Fourth decks, then pivoting to Jungle’s mana ramp. No big “double release” event. Production logs from databases show Fourth’s runs wrapping before full Mirage push.[6]
Fast-forward, sets like Final Fantasy in June 2025 or Innistrad Remastered in January 2025 keep the tradition—no clashing core reprints with expansions.[2] Fourth and Jungle set the template: core first, blocks later.
Details on those print runs: Fourth Edition tallied 380 cards, including basics.[6] Booster boxes had 36 packs, each with 15 cards. Later prints fixed minor errors, like art swaps. Jungle boosters? 11 commons, 3 uncommons, 1 rare, 1 land—standard then. No shared print sheets.
Wizards communicated via Duelist magazine, bundled in those gift boxes.[4] Issues hyped upcoming sets, keeping Fourth relevant but not stealing Jungle’s thunder.
Tournament scene shifted too
