Here, you will find the changes that are made to The Essentials list as new cards are released. We will do our best to keep this up to date as the list evolves. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
2023 Apr 30 – Update:
- Secret Wars Draft Packs added
- Fixes done to Essentials List set buttons for consistency and readability.
2022 Aug 2 – Update:
- Superman Kryptonite Crisis Draft Packs added
- Cards added to the list from other Modern-legal sets:
Making the Team: Basic Action Card (DPS)
Colossus: Skilled Painter (DPS)
Emma Frost: Influential (DPS)
Jean Grey: Xavier’s Dream (DPS)
Counterstrike: Basic Action Card (IG)
Corvus Glaive: Grim Lieutenant (IG)
Groot: Jolly Protector (IG)
Proxima Midnight: Killer for Hire (IG)
- Card removed from the list:
Hela: Vengeful (IG)
- Recolored set icons on the Essentials List landing page to reflect the 2022 Modern rotation.
- Miscellaneous fixes to tags and comments on older cards.
2022 Jun 29 – Update:
- Cards added to the list from current Modern:
Bishop: Time Traveller (DPS)
Dark Phoenix: Destructive Force (DPS)
Gladiator: Majestor Kallark (DPS)
Jean Grey: Marvel Girl (DPS)
Kurt Angle: Intensity (WWE)
Sasha Banks: The Boss (WWE)
Stone of Golorr: Transformed Aboleth (AIW)
Drow Mercenary: Hired Blade (TIW)
Sylgar: Innocent Fish (TIW)
Dual Defense: Basic Action Card (XMF)
Zatanna: Being of Magic (MYST)
Plague Marine: Festering Wound (BFU)
Primaris Aggressor: Boltstorm Gauntlets (BFU)
Hawkeye: Taking Aim (JLL)
- Added “#hope” tag to Golden Age sets
- Added comments to some older cards where identical/better versions were reprinted in DPS (e.g. Jinzo from YGO, Human Torch from AVX)
2022 Mar 3 – Update:
- Dark Phoenix Saga Draft Packs added
- Cards added to the list from other sets:
Yawning Portal: Adventurous Clientele (AIW)
Slingers: Basic Action Card (OP)
Hellfire Gala: Basic Action Card (from the new OP kit)
- Created “#hope” tag
- Added “#hope” tag to a number of cards (only Modern sets for now, will add the rest later)
- Fixed missing tags on various cards
- Minor changes to comments on some cards (to indicate a BAC was reprinted in Dark Phoenix Saga)
2021 Mar 14 – Update:
- Cosmetic upgrade to main links to include set symbols for easier navigation.
2020 Aug 24 – Essentials List Update:
- Infinity Gauntlet Draft Packs added
- Cards added to the list from other sets:
Sasha Banks: The Bank Statement (WWE)
Istrid Horn: Mind For Money (ZHT)
Doctor Strange: Never Have You Known His Like (AI)
- Removed the following cards from the list:
The Spot: Dr. Jonathan Ohnn (GOTG)
Agent Carter: Answered The Call (DP)
2020 Jul 4 – Essentials List update:
- Added the following cards to the List:
John Cena: The Cenation Leader (WWE)
Kane: Controlling Hellfire (BIT)
The God Catcher: Mighty Construct (TIW)
Joppa: Zen (TIW)
Shield: Basic Action Card (TIW)
Blob: Big Talkin’ Costumed Clown (XMF)
Emma Frost: Mental Mistress (XMF)
Jubilee: Olympic Gymnast (XMF)
Jubilee: Wondra (XMF)
Deadpool: We’re X-Force! (XFO)
Plague Marine: Vectors of Death and Disease (BFU)
- Removed the following cards from the List:
Ziraj: The Hunter (ZHT)
Jarnbjorn: Celestial Destroyer (THOR)
- Removed comments on Wallop: Basic Action Card (OP) – no longer relevant
- Added comments to Gorilla Grodd: Brains and Brawn (GATF) which explain the Jarnbjorn removal
- Replaced the PDF downloadable version with a Google Doc (still downloadable, you can now choose your format)
- Cleaned up the main Essentials List page so that the different versions and relevant links are easier to find.
2020 Mar 27 – Essentials List update:
- WWE Campaign Box and team packs added
- Cards added to the List from other sets:
Manshoon: Clone Wizard (ZHN)
Manshoon: Rekindling the Zhentarim (ZHN)
Grell: Xanathat Guild Bodyguard (ZHN)
Tyril: Sword For Hire (TIW)
Wild Magic: Basic Action Card (TIW)
Rachel Summers: Prestige (XMF)
Sage: Psionic Firewall (DXM)
Atlantis: City and Stonghold (MYST)
Wallop: Basic Action Card (OP) (See Card Comments)
- Cards removed from the List in light of 2020 rotation:
Heimdall: The All-Seeing (THOR)
Malekith – 13th son of a 13th son (THOR)
Candlekeep: Basic Action Card
Truce: Basic Action Card (SMWW)
- In light of 2020 bans in Global Escalation/Golden Age, comments were added to Beholder: Master Aberration, Imprisoned: Basic Action Card and Ring of Magnetism: Action Attraction, as well as other cards regularly used with Ring of Magnetism.
2020 Jan 5 – Update
- Downloadable PDF version of the Essentials List is now available.
2019 Dec 31 – Update
- Searchable, text-based version of the Essentials List is now available.
2019 Dec 01 – The Essentials List went live.
