The 1994 Magic: The Gathering Foreign Black Border release, featuring card #3 Balance. This foundational white sorcery defines early TCG strategy and set identity.
Balance
1994 • Magic: The Gathering • Foreign Black Border
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Description
The 1994 Magic: The Gathering Foreign Black Border set established the visual and mechanical foundation for the trading card game. Card number 3, Balance, is a white sorcery that requires players to equalize their land counts by sacrificing excess resources. This mechanic forces difficult decisions and remains a defining moment in the game's early history. Art by Mark Poole, this card features the standard layout of its era, emphasizing clarity and function over complex art. Collectors value it for its historical significance as part of the original release. The Foreign Black Border variant is particularly notable for its international distribution and distinct aesthetic compared to later printings. For investors and hobbyists, Balance represents a key piece of TCG provenance. Its straightforward design and powerful effect make it a staple in discussions about game balance and design philosophy.
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Card Details
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Catalog Profile
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Featured Subject
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Featured
Balance
Game
Magic: The Gathering
TCG Attributes
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Rare
Mark Poole
Card Stock
English
{1}{W}
Sorcery
W
Card Text
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Each player chooses a number of lands they control equal to the number of lands controlled by the player who controls the fewest, then sacrifices the rest. Players discard cards and sacrifice creatures the same way.