The year 1996 was the fourth year of existence for Magic: The Gathering.
Events
| Date | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| February, 16-18 | First Pro Tour held in New York City. Won by Michael Loconto.
| |
| March, 4 | First publishing of the Reserved List. | |
| April, 13 | Opening of the Wizards of the Coast Official Tournament Center. | |
| May | Release of the Pro Tour Collector Set. | |
| May, 5–7 | Pro Tour Los Angeles, won by Shawn "Hammer" Reigner | |
| June, 5 | First mentioning of Gleemax, the brain behind R&D. | |
| June | Release of Alliances, after an expansion hiatus of eight months. | |
| June | Release of the Rivals Quick Start Set, the first box set with preconstructed theme decks. | |
| Summer | Black Summer, dominated by Necropotence-based decks and anti-Necropotence decks like Turbo Stasis. | |
| July, 4 | Debute of the Arena League | |
| July, 6-7 | Pro Tour Columbus, won by Olle Råde | |
| July | First issue of the Sideboard magazine | |
| August, 14-18 | 1996 World Championships in Seattle, won by Tom Chanpheng.
| |
| September, 13-15 | Pro Tour Atlanta (Season 1996-1997), won by Frank Adler. | |
| October, 7 | Release of Mirage, the first set in the new block model.
| |
| November | Release of the Multiverse Gift Box, previewing Visions | |
| November, 22-24 | Pro Tour Dallas, won by Paul McCabe. | |
| End of 1996 | Release of the Introductory Two-Player Set for European and Asian markets. | |
| December | DCI gets 100,000th member. | |
| Player of the Year: Olle Råde |
Publications
- Arabian Nights (comic) - January
- Antiquities War - January, February
- Wayfarer - January, February, March
- Homelands (comic) - February
- Ashes of the Sun - March
- Legend of Jedit Ojanen - March, April
- Shandalar (comic) - March, April
- Elder Dragons (comic) - April, May
- Fallen Angel (comic) - May
- Dakkon Blackblade (comic) - June
- Distant Planes - June
- Song of Time - June
- And Peace Shall Sleep - July
- Serra Angel (comic) - August
- Urza–Mishra War - September, October
- Fallen Empires (comic) - September, October
- Dark Legacy - December
- Magic: The Gathering Official Encyclopedia
- Magic: The Puzzling
First involved
Wizards of the Coast
- Sue-Ann Harkey (art director)
Design and Development
Artists
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- Bill Sienkiewicz
- Carol Heyer
- D. Alexander Gregory
- Diana Vick
- Greg Simanson
- John Matson
- Lawrence Snelly
- Rebecca Guay
- Terese Nielsen
- Zak Plucinsky
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- Adam Rex
- Adrian Smith
- Al Davidson
- Andrew Robinson
- Bob Eggleton
- Charles Gillespie
- Chippy
- Cliff Nielsen
- David O'Connor
- David Ho
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- Dermot Power
- Dom!
- Donato Giancola
- Gary Grace
- Gary Leach
- Geofrey Darrow
- Gerry Grace
- Hannibal King
- Ian Miller
- Janine Johnston
- Jennifer Law
- John Bolton
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- John Malloy
- John Coulthart
- Junior Tomlin
- Kari Johnson
- Kathryn Rathke
- Kev Walker
- Martin McKenna
- Mike Dringenberg
- Mike Kerr
- Patrick Beel
- Robert Bliss
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- Roger Raupp
- Scott M. Fischer
- Steve Luke
- Steve White
- Stuart Beel
- Stuart Griffin
- Thomas Gianni
- Tom Kyffin
- Tony Roberts
- Una Fricker
- William Donohoe
- Zina Saunders
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