Understanding rarity: our 1 to 6 star scale rate for MTG sets
When exploring Chinese : The Gathering (CTG), you will see a rarity rating for each sets. We use a scale from 1 to 6 stars.
It is important to understand one thing: this is not a price guide. This scale measures “organic rarity” ; how difficult it is to actually find the cards, regardless of their market value.
Why English sets are usually 1 Star
For most collectors, “rare” means expensive. But in terms of supply, almost every english set printed since 1994 (starting with Revised Edition) is very common. Because millions of these cards exist, they receive a 1-star max rating. They are so easy to find; you just need the money to buy them. Furthermore, magic online redemption program has spread a lot of “already done” sets without any effort. That make english language set the worst set to collect in terms of pure rarity.
The crazy Wizard of the Coast printing machine
The “Alpha” misconception
Rarity level
Many people believe that Limited Edition Alpha (the first edition from 1993) is the rarest set. While Alpha cards are very expensive, they are not actually “hard to find.” If you have the budget, you can find Alpha cards for sale any day in Europe or the US. On our scale, Limited Edition Alpha is not the top tier of rarity. Furthermore, they have been heavily collected ans searched through years. For example, you can find now (early 2026), 13 Limited Edition Alpha Stasis on Cardmarket, 9 on near mint condition.
The Gold Standard: Summer Magic
To understand our scale, we use Summer Magic as the ultimate benchmark.
In 1994, Wizards of the Coast attempted to print a corrected version of the Revised Edition to fix washed-out colors. This internal project, codenamed “Edgar,” backfired and produced even worse errors, most notably the legendary “Blue Hurricane” (a green spell printed with a blue border). Once the quality issues were discovered, WotC ordered the immediate destruction of the entire print run. The stock was intended to be incinerated, making the set “extinct” before it ever officially hit shelves. A tiny fraction of the set survived because approximately 40 cases were mistakenly shipped to distributors in the UK and Tennessee.
Rarity level
There are only about 10 complete sets known to exist in the entire world. This is “absolute rarity.” Because 99% of the print run was destroyed, the number of surviving copies is incredibly low—often estimated to be significantly lower than the print runs of Limited Edition Alpha or Limited Edition Beta.
Are Chinese Sets also rare?
Between the common 1-star English sets and the legendary 6-star Summer Magic, we find many Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese releases.
Many Magic players harbor a certain disdain for foreign-language cards, including Chinese-language cards, often viewing them as an inconvenience rather than a collectible asset. This “linguistic gatekeeping” stems from a lack of understanding of global rarity and market nuances, as players frequently prioritize immediate readability over the prestige of specific printings, such as Japanese or Russian editions. This mindset can lead to a dismissive attitude toward the vibrant international communities that have sustained the game’s growth for decades.
These Chinese sets are often much harder to assemble than their English counterparts. In many cases, print runs were small, or the cards simply did not survive the decades in good condition. Our ratings will help you identify which Chinese sets are true hidden gems and which are more common.
The CTG rarity scale:
Individual cards are quite easy to source. Complete sets are easy to find or assemble by buying singles on the market.
Things are becoming a bit more challenging as we move into sets like Limited Edition Beta. Around 20 of each rares available on the market.
Assembling a complete set is harder. Booster boxes are difficult to find, and some cards can be challenging to source in good condition. Around ten copies of each rare are typically available. This is comparable to Limited Edition Alpha territory.
Assembling a complete set is a real challenge. Many foreign-language sets fall into this category. It is the most interesting level: a balance between true rarity and a realistic hope of eventually completing the set.
Assembling a complete set from singles, rather than buying one already complete, is a nightmare. Rares and even uncommons are often unavailable on the market. Booster boxes appear occasionally, but contain only 36 rares—far from enough for a base set of roughly 350 cards.
Assembling a complete set from singles is nearly impossible. No booster boxes are available on the market.