MTG Card Rarity Guide: Colours and Symbols
Magic: The Gathering has four main card rarities: common, uncommon, rare and mythic rare. On most modern cards, the colour of the expansion symbol identifies the rarity. Many cards also print a rarity letter next to their collector information.
MTG rarity colours and letters
| Rarity | Expansion symbol colour | Printed letter |
|---|---|---|
| Common | Black or white | C |
| Uncommon | Silver | U |
| Rare | Gold | R |
| Mythic rare | Orange or red-orange | M |
The symbol's shape identifies the set; its colour usually identifies rarity. Commons are not universally dots, uncommons are not diamonds, and rares are not stars. Use the printed letter if the colour is difficult to distinguish. Basic lands, older printings and special products can use different layouts or conventions, so check the exact printing if unsure.
How to identify a card's rarity
- Find the expansion symbol, usually on the right of the type line below the artwork.
- Compare its colour with the table above, or look for C, U, R or M in the collector information near the bottom.
- Identify the set and collector number. The same card can have different rarities in different releases.
- If the layout is unusual, check the exact printing in Wizards of the Coast's Gatherer card database.
Rare versus mythic rare
Mythic rare sits above rare in the main rarity hierarchy. That describes its rarity within a release, not a guarantee of greater power or a higher price. A useful common can be essential to a deck, while a mythic rare may not fit your strategy. Buy or trade for the cards your deck needs rather than choosing by rarity alone.
Does rarity tell you a card's value?
Rarity is one factor. Demand for the card, format legality, condition, printing, language and treatment also matter. Compare the same edition and condition when checking prices. A gold or orange symbol alone does not establish a card's market value.
Are foil and showcase cards different rarities?
Foil, borderless and showcase describe finishes or presentation, rather than replacing common, uncommon, rare and mythic rare. A foil common is still common. Some treatments are scarcer than others, but neither a foil finish nor a special frame guarantees a higher price. Look up the exact version.
What are the odds of opening a mythic rare?
There is no single reliable odds figure for every MTG booster. Set, booster type and card slot affect the possible pulls, and a pack can contain multiple slots with different distributions. Use the official collecting guide for the exact set and product. For example, Wizards publishes Foundations booster contents and treatment information.
Choosing products and protecting cards
If you want a playable starting deck, read our guide to choosing your first MTG product. If you enjoy opening packs, browse HobbiXchange's Magic: The Gathering range, including Reality Fracture Play Boosters. Packs contain a random selection and do not guarantee a particular card.
Keep cards you want to use or collect protected with suitable card sleeves and storage. Christchurch players can also find details for Thursday MTG at HobbiXchange.