Magic: The Gathering (MicroProse)

Magic: the Gathering, also referred to as Shandalar, is a computer game written by MicroProse. It was first released in April 1997. 
==Releases==
===Original game===
The Windows 95 version of April 1997 replaced the previously announced MS-DOS version. Aside from random duels against the computer using customizable decks, the game features an enhanced campaign mode set on the plane of Shandalar, a deck builder, and a multimedia tutorial. 465 cards were included, taken almost exclusively from Fourth Edition, with a few extremely rare and famous cards from previous sets (Limited Edition and Arabian Nights) thrown in.
===Spells of the Ancients===
In September 1997, an expansion set called Spells of the Ancients was released, which increased the card pool by 92 cards taken from Antiquities. Additionally, it added a sealed deck generator.
===Duels of the Planeswalkers===
In February 1998, the main game was rereleased in a special edition named Duels of the Planeswalkers. The card pool was increased by 385 cards, incorporating cards from Legends as well as filling in cards not supported in previous releases. Furthermore, it included an option named ManaLink to allow play against other players online.
For players who had purchased earlier versions of the game, ManaLink was made available through a downloadable patch, allowing those players to play online as well.https://web.archive.org/web/19990503041426/http://gathering.net/downloads.html
===Gold Edition===
In August 1999, Hasbro announced its plans to ship a new version of the game, called Gold Edition, in the fall.Wizards of the Coast (August 1999). Hasbro announces a new version of the Magic computer game. Duelist #40 It would have included play against AI, multiplayer either over LAN or via the Internet, further additional cards from Legends and The Dark, and new features such as sideboarding.
Gold Edition was never released. MicroProse ceased to exist in January 2001.
===Unofficial 2010 Edition===
A devout fan community updated the game to run on Windows 7 (or newer), with the last version being the 2010 edition. This version supports larger screen resolutions, a larger maximum number of cards, and other fixes. Cards are added from sets ranging from Ice Age to Conflux, but like the original game, no complete sets. See external links for the community forum and download links.
==Characters==
===Bosses===
MPS Arzakon.png|Arzakon
MPS Greater Lich.png|Greater Lich
MPS Sainted One.png|Sainted One
MPS Astral Visionary.png|Astral Visionary
MPS Great Druid.png|Great Druid
MPS Dragon Lord.png|Dragon Lord
===Dragons===
MPS Mandurang.png|Mandurang Dragon
MPS Kiska-Ra.png|Kiska-Ra Dragon
MPS Whim.png|Whim Dragon
MPS Prismat.png|Prismat Dragon
MPS Dracur.png|Dracur Dragon
===Djinns===
MPS Aga Galneer.png|Aga Galneer Djinni
MPS Saltrem Tor.png|Saltrem Tor Djinni
MPS Alt-A-Kesh.png|Alt-A-Kesh Djinni
MPS Queltosh.png|Queltosh Djinni
===Dual Color===
MPS Lord of Fate.png|Lord of Fate
MPS Mind Stealer.png|Mind Stealer
MPS Centaur Shaman.png|Centaur Shaman
MPS Sedge Beast.png|Sedge Beast
MPS Winged Stallion.png|Winged Stallion
MPS Tusk Guardian.png|Tusk Guardian
MPS Centaur Warchief.png|Centaur Warchief
MPS Fungus Master.png|Fungus Master
MPS Elementalist.png|Elementalist
MPS Ape Lord.png|Ape Lord
===Black===
MPS Necromancer.png|Necromancer
MPS Nether Fiend.png|Nether Fiend
MPS Vampire Lord.png|Vampire Lord
MPS Undead Knight.png|Undead Knight
MPS Witch.png|Witch
MPS Warlock.png|Warlock
===White===
MPS High Priest.png|High Priest
MPS Arch Angel.png|Arch Angel
MPS Paladin.png|Paladin
MPS Crusader.png|Crusader
MPS Priestess.png|Priestess
MPS Cleric.png|Cleric
===Blue===
MPS Thought Invoker.png|Thought Invoker
MPS Shapeshifter.png|Shapeshifter
MPS Sea Dragon.png|Sea Dragon
MPS Merfolk Shaman.png|Merfolk Shaman
MPS Seer.png|Seer
MPS Conjurer.png|Conjurer
===Green===
MPS Summoner.png|Summoner
MPS Beastmaster.png|Beastmaster
MPS Forest Dragon.png|Forest Dragon
MPS Elvish Magi.png|Elvish Magi
MPS Enchantress.png|Enchantress
MPS Druid.png|Druid
===Red===
MPS War Mage.png|War Mage
MPS Hydra.png|Hydra
MPS Goblin Lord.png|Goblin Lord
MPS Troll Shaman.png|Troll Shaman
MPS Sorceress.png|Sorceress
MPS Sorcerer.png|Sorcerer
==Card pool==
===Astral set===
Part of the original Magic: The Gathering game is a "semi-expansion" of 12 cards, known as Astral. The Astral cards have a unique set symbol (), and incorporate various random attributes that would be difficult or impossible to replicate in real life. While most of these cards exist only within this game, the first 50,000 boxes published contained an oversized version of the card "Aswan Jaguar", which has the MicroProse logo printed between the name and cost.
# 	Cardname 	Cost	Type 	Text 	P/T
1 	<c>Aswan Jaguar</c> 	 	Summon Jaguar 	When Aswan Jaguar comes into play, choose a random creature type from those in target opponent’s deck. 
, : Bury target creature of the chosen type. 	2/2
2 	<c>Call from the Grave</c>	 	Sorcery 	Put a random creature from a random graveyard into play under your control. Call from the Grave deals to you an amount of damage equal to that creature's casting cost. 	
3 	<c>Faerie Dragon</c> 	 	Summon Dragon 	Flying. 
: Play a random effect. 	1/3
4 	<c>Goblin Polka Band</c> 	 	Summon Goblin 	, , Pay for each target: Tap any number of random target creatures. Goblins tapped in this way do not untap during their controllers' next untap phases. 	1/1
5 	<c>Necropolis of Azar</c> 	 	Enchantment 	Whenever a non-black creature is put into any graveyard from play, put a husk counter on Necropolis of Azar. , remove a husk counter from Necropolis of Azar. Put a Spawn of Azar token into play. Treat this token as a black creature with a random power and toughness, each no less than 1 and no greater than 3, that has swampwalk (If defending player controls any swamps this creature is unblockable.)	
6 	<c>Orcish Catapult</c> 	 	Instant 	Randomly distribute X -0/-1 counters among a random number of random target creatures. 	
7 	<c>Power Struggle</c> 	 	Enchantment 	During each player's upkeep that player exchanges control of random target artifact, creature, or land he or she controls, for control of random target permanent of the same type that a random opponent controls. 	
8 	<c>Prismatic Dragon</c> 	 	Summon Dragon 	Flying. During your upkeep, Prismatic Dragon becomes a random color permanently. : Prismatic Dragon becomes a random color permanently. 	2/3
9 	<c>Rainbow Knights</c> 	 	Summon Knights	When Rainbow Knights comes into play it gains protection from a random color permanently
: First strike until end of turn.
: +0/+0, +1/+0 or +2/+0 until end of turn chosen at random. 	2/1
10	<c>Whimsy</c> 	 	Sorcery 	Play X random effects. 	
11	<c>Pandora's Box</c> 	 	Artifact 	, : Choose a random summon card from all player's decks. For each player, flip a coin. If the flip ends up head, put a token creature into play and treat it as though an exact copy of the chosen summon card were just played. 	
12	<c>Gem Bazaar</c> 	 	Land 	When Gem Bazaar comes into play, choose a random color. : Add to your mana pool one mana of the color last chosen. Then choose a random color. 	
==Trivia==
*The game features an MTG tutorial video in which a young Rhea Seehorn (aka Kim Wexler from Better Call Saul) acts as one of the teachers.
==Gallery==
File:Microprose.jpg|Cover of initial release v.3 of the game
File:MicroProse_Duels_of_the_Planeswalkers_(back).jpg|Back side of all 3 releases of the game
File:Spells_of_the_Ancients.jpg|Cover of expansion
File:MicroProse_MTG_pack.jpg|Limited Edition
File:MicroProse_Duels_of_the_Planeswalkers.jpg|Cover of the 1998 re-release
File:Microprose_Manalink.jpg|Manalink advertisement 
==References==
==External links==
*Gathering.net, homepage for ManaLink
*Shandalar Player's Manual
*Unofficial 2010 Edition
Category:MicroProse