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Revision as of 15:48, 10 November 2013
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|mechanics =
|mechanics =
|keywords =
|keywords =
−
|size = 215<BR><small>(20 basic lands,
55
commons,
85
uncommons, 55 rares)</small>
+
|size = 215<BR><small>(20 basic lands,
90
commons,
55
uncommons, 55 rares)</small>
|code_expansion = POR
|code_expansion = POR
|code_development =
|code_development =
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|next set = [[Weatherlight]]
|next set = [[Weatherlight]]
|}}
|}}
−
'''''Portal''''' is a [[
:Category:Magic sets#Starter-level sets|
starter-level
set
]] released on May 1, 1997. It was
designed to teach
'
'Magic'' to
prospective and newer players
and, as such, is less complex
than a core set or an expansion set
and lacks instant (with exception to a number of sorceries that with specific timing constraints and provisions), enchantment, and artifact cards
.
+
'''''Portal''''' is a [[starter-level]]
l set
released on May 1, 1997. It was
[[Wizards of the Coast]]
'
s first major attempt at a set catering tot
prospective and newer players
. It was designed to provide them a format with simpler rules
than a
[[
core set
]]
or an
[[
expansion
]]
set.
==Set details==
==Set details==
−
In an effort to facilitate learning ''Magic'',
''Portal''
was markedly aesthetic and mechanically differently from previous non
-
starter-level sets. To simplify game play, ''Portal'' featured no instants
(
as printed as instants)
,
enchantments
,
or artifacts and, subsequently, had a simpler set of rules. Some sorceries could be played outside the normal timing rules for sorceries
, and
these cards received errata as appropriate.<ref>{{DailyRef|mtgcom/arcana/546|Portal Instants|Wizards of the Coast|April 15, 2004}}</ref> Creature cards printed in ''Portal'' featured no creature types, and their type line read "Summon Creature". These cards also received errata
.
+
''Portal''
contains 215 black
-
bordered cards
(
55 rare
,
55 uncommon
,
90 common
, and
20 lands)
.
−
''Portal'' also featured different terminology from that established in previous sets. These terms included "intercepting" for blocking, "deck" for library, "discard pile" for graveyard, "offense" for power, and "defense" for toughness. Although these new terms were intended to simplify learning ''Magic'', particularly as a stepping stone for more complex sets, they were a source of distress for players if and when they started to use advanced-level and/or expert-level cards, which do not use this terminology. Cards featuring these terms also received errata but are otherwise functionally the same.
+
===Marketing===
+
In an effort to facilitate learning ''Magic'', ''Portal'' was markedly aesthetic and mechanically differently from previous non-starter-level sets. To simplify game play, ''Portal'' featured no [[instants]], [[enchantments]], or [[artifacts]] and, subsequently, had a simpler set of rules. Some [[sorceries]] could be played outside the normal timing rules for sorceries, and these cards received errata as appropriate.<ref>{{DailyRef|mtgcom/arcana/546|Portal Instants|Wizards of the Coast|April 15, 2004}}</ref> Creature cards printed in ''Portal'' featured no creature types, and their type line read "Summon Creature". These cards also received errata.
+
+
''Portal'' also featured different terminology from that established in previous sets. These terms included "intercepting" for
[[
blocking
]]
, "deck" for
[[
library
]]
, "discard pile" for
[[
graveyard
]]
, "offense" for
[[
power
]]
, and "
[[
defense
]]
" for toughness. Although these new terms were intended to simplify learning ''Magic'', particularly as a stepping stone for more complex sets, they were a source of distress for players if and when they started to use
[[
advanced-level
]]
and/or
[[
expert-level
]]
cards, which do not use this terminology. Cards featuring these terms also received errata but are otherwise functionally the same.
To facilitate interpreting cards, the established layout was changed such that the power/toughness parameters printed on creature cards were accompanied by sword and shield symbols to more readily clarify the meaning of these numbers. Furthermore, rules text was in bold type to distinguish it from flavor text. Moreover, a thick line was drawn between rules text and flavor text to reinforce the distinction.
To facilitate interpreting cards, the established layout was changed such that the power/toughness parameters printed on creature cards were accompanied by sword and shield symbols to more readily clarify the meaning of these numbers. Furthermore, rules text was in bold type to distinguish it from flavor text. Moreover, a thick line was drawn between rules text and flavor text to reinforce the distinction.
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===Flavor and storyline===
===Flavor and storyline===
−
No specific storyline was developed for ''Portal'', but flavor is conveyed throughout the flavor
texts
of cards.
+
No specific storyline was developed for ''Portal'', but flavor is conveyed throughout the
[[
flavor
text]]s
of cards.
−
+
−
===Marketing===
+
==Themes and mechanics==
==Themes and mechanics==
−
''Portal''
introduce
no new themes or mechanics to ''Magic'', and was essentially the same game introduced in ''Limited Edition'', with exception to the absence of instants, enchantments, and artifacts.
+
''Portal''
introduces
no new themes or mechanics to ''Magic'', and was essentially the same game introduced in ''
[[
Limited Edition
]]
'', with exception to the absence of instants, enchantments, and artifacts.
==Pairs==
==Pairs==