It was the forebear of mechanics like Foretell, where declaring a spell in advance added a new dimension to the ongoing information war between Magic players
There are a few reasons for this: Theyre rarer The most logical reason for the Pokemon card Base Set to be the most valuable is that theyre the oldest
Next up were a series of interesting reprints, including the extremely powerful Grim Tutor and fan-favorite Azusa, Lost but Seeking
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As with any editioned, syndicated, printed, versioned anything (from art to cards to bags) firsts are important because they lay the groundwork for a series, a character, an athletes career, a superheros arc, etc
It wasnt until a Secret Lair reprint only a month ago did we get a new interpretation of Memnarch (albeit in Wild West sheriff garb) that shows off exactly where the up here is when he says my eyes are up here. At least no one mistook him for a bird I guess