The 7 Bona Fide Rarest Cards In Magic: The Gathering

Every Magic: The Gathering player knows that some cards are rarer than others. From common to mythic rare, each card is marked indicating its rarity within the set. This isn’t all there is to the story, though, as veteran collectors know that oftentimes the rarest cards can’t be pulled from any given pack.

I’ll be listing out 7 of the rarest cards in the history of Magic: The Gathering, in no particular order, as these cards are so rare that comparing them in value is an impossible task. To a dedicated collector, any one of these cards could serve as a holy grail to their collection. Don’t get too attached to any one card in particular, since getting your hands on one could be a futile effort.

7. Legacy/Vintage championship cards.

Technically, number seven isn’t any one rare card in particular, but rather an array of cards. At yearly championship events in Legacy and Vintage formats, unique one-of-one reprints are given to the winners of their respective formats. There are a total of 27 known Legacy Championship cards and 35 Vintage Championship cards. It’s not impossible to get your hands on one of these, either, but you’d have to prove you’ve got what it takes and win a championship for yourself.

6. The One Ring 001/001

The One Ring, Courtesy of Wizards of the Coast

This beautiful one-of-one card was purchased for, some speculate, two million dollars by the rapper Post Malone. It was pulled by someone lucky during the LOTR set and is one of the highest-selling cards in the game’s history, and undoubtedly one of its rarest. The card’s text is written in the Black Speech of Mordor, only adding to its fantastic artwork.

5. Brainstorm

Secret Lair Showdown Brainstorm, Courtesy of Wizards of the Coast

This version of Brainstorm was given out at the first-ever Secret Lair Showdown to first-place Isara Thanakit. The illustration, done by Justin & Alexis Hernandex, is phenomenal. The sharp and bold lines of lightning contrast with the subject’s softer features, and the glow of light from behind him gives him an almost halo-like effect. A worthy card for a winner.

4. Dark Ritual

Secret Lair Showdown Dark Ritual, Courtesy of Wizards of the Coast

This is one I will admit I am envious of. I am a huge fan of Wizard of Barge, and I’ve got tons of their merch, so when I first saw this card, I was drooling over it and tried to find one immediately, only to discover that the only copies were given out at Secret Lair Showdown. It devastated me to know that if I ever wanted one, I’d have to shell out at least eighty thousand dollars for it.

3. The Garfield Event Cards

When you create what is very possibly the greatest trading card game in the world, it comes with some perks, like, say, getting to print your own cards whenever you want. Richard Garfield, the creator of Magic: The Gathering, has done so on a few occasions to commemorate special events. Like a friend’s marriage or the birth of a new child. These cards are definitely the rarest if you value the insight into the life of the creator that these cards offer.

2. Shichifukujin Dragon

Shichifukujin Dragon, Courtesy of Wizards of the Coast

Second to last on our list of the rarest magic cards, we have the Shichifukujin Dragon. Quite a mouthful, huh? Named after the seven deities of good fortune from Japanese mythology, this card was made to commemorate the opening of the DCI Tournament Center in Japan after they asked Wizards of the Coast to design a card for them with this name. I’d say it turned out wonderfully.

1. 1996 World Champion

1996 World Champion, Courtesy of Wizards of the Coast

Capping off our list today, we have the 1996 World Champion, won by Tom Chanpheng, hailing from Australia. When designing this card, they knew that they wanted something that just hadn’t been done before. Something undeniably flashy and powerful, made to be the rarest magic card of its time. Untargetability and the ability to be brought into your hand for zero cost instantly, as well as being the first five-color card ever printed, make it an absolute gem that any self-respecting magic collector would be proud to have.