- For the products by Thunder's Mouth Press, see Magic: The Gathering Official Encyclopedia.
The Magic Encyclopedia is a collectible encyclopedia distributed in Spain by Salvat, a company of the Hachette group publishing company and Hasbro, parent company of Wizards of the Coast. In Italy, France and the UK it was published under the name of the Hachette Group itself. It teaches the basic concepts of the game, the rules, and other general information. The product was sold with a set of exclusive cards that form theme decks specially designed to illustrate the strategies of the game. Each issue of the encyclopedia contained a booster with 12 cards for these theme decks. The cards have their own expansion symbol featuring a Pegasus, the logo of Salvat editorial: (2005 - 2006) and (2010 - 2012).
Contents[ | ]
The Encyclopedia is divided into six sections:
- Magic, the Game
- Strategy
- Guide to the cards in the theme decks
- Guide to the cards from Ninth Edition
- Guide to the cards from the expansions
- The World of Magic
2005 edition (Spain)[ | ]
The first edition appeared in Spanish newsstands on August 22, 2005. It was to be released in 50 bi-weekly issues. In October 2005, the distribution was cancelled without explanation.
Theme decks[ | ]
The cards released with each five issues form a 60-card deck (the names are translated).
- 1 to 5: Ravenous Rats; the only deck actually released in the 2005 edition
- 6 to 10: Elves
- 11 to 15: Spirits
- 16 to 20: Slivers
- 21 to 25: Ninjas
- 26 to 30: Zombies
- 31 to 35: Angels
- 36 to 40: Wizards
- 41 to 45: Savage Onslaught
- 46 to 50: Thallids and Saprolings
Promotional gifts[ | ]
- Spanish demo CD for Ninth Edition (Issue #1)
- Spanish Demogame pack containing (Issue #2)
- Binder featuring Serra Angel and Hypnotic Specter
- Binder featuring Mahamoti Djinn
- Salvat life counter
- Mahamoti Djinn statue
In some issues a Spanish booster of Ninth Edition cards was inserted, in other issues a pack of clear sleeves or card-display sheets.
2006 edition (Spain)[ | ]
In January 2006 the Magic Encyclopedia was re-released in Spain, starting again with issue #1 with a new price.
Theme decks[ | ]
Same as the proposed 2005 edition, except that the distribution order of the cards in first five issues was different.
Promotional gifts[ | ]
Same as for the proposed 2005 edition.
2006 edition (UK)[ | ]
A few issues of the Magic Encyclopedia were released in the UK. Issue 1 was sold with an introductory price of £1.99 then following issues were sold £3.99. This Hachette UK release stopped after 5 issues.
Theme decks[ | ]
- 1 to 5: Ravenous Rats; the only deck actually released.
Promotional gifts[ | ]
- English demo CD and a booster for Ninth Edition(Issue #1)
- English Sampler Booster of 10 Ninth Edition cards (Issue #2).
- Binder featuring Serra Angel and Hypnotic Specter
- 50 Sleeves with art by Larry Elmore.
2006 edition (France)[ | ]
The Magic Encyclopedia was first tested by Hachette for the French market in March 2006 with the Rats deck. Starting in August 2006, it was sold in 50 weekly issues. The French version added a separate section for cards from the Ravnica block.
Theme decks[ | ]
Same as the Spanish version.
Promotional gifts[ | ]
- French demo CD for Ninth Edition(Issue #1)
- French Demogame pack of 22 Ninth Edition cards (Issue #2).
- Binder featuring Serra Angel and Hypnotic Specter
- 50 Sleeves with art by Larry Elmore.
- Llanowar Elves Deck box with divider
- Magic 2006/2007 planner
In some issues a French booster of Ninth Edition cards was inserted, in other issues some pack of clear sleeves or card-display sheets.
2006 edition (Italy)[ | ]
From August 2006, the Italian Magic Encyclopedia was sold by Hachette in 60 weekly issues, 10 more issues than the Spanish and French versions.
Theme decks[ | ]
The first ten decks were the same as for the Spanish version. The two extra decks were
Promotional gifts[ | ]
- Italian demo CD for Ninth Edition(Issue #1)
- Italian Demogame pack of 22 Ninth Edition cards (Issue #2).
- Binder featuring Serra Angel and Hypnotic Specter
- An Allosaurus Rider playmat
- Llanowar Elves Deck box with divider
- Magic 2006/2007 planner
- A Rimebound Dead poster
- A Rimehorn Aurochs poster
In some issues an Italian booster of Ninth Edition cards was inserted, in other issues some pack of clear sleeves or card-display sheets.
2011 edition (Spain)[ | ]
A new edition of the Spanish Magic Encyclopedia was tested in May 2010 with the issue #1 and #5. From January 2011 to 2012, 60 issues became available on a weekly basis.
Theme decks[ | ]
The cards released with each five issues form a 60-card deck (the names are translated).
- 1 to 5: Wings of Light
- 6 to 10: Ears of the Elves
- 11 to 15: Thoughts of the Wind
- 16 to 20: Teeth of the Predator
- 21 to 25: Cries of Rage
- 26 to 30: Eyes of Shadow
- 31 to 35: Claws of Vengeance
- 36 to 40: Relics of Doom
- 41 to 45: Hands of Flame
- 46 to 50: Scales of Fury
- 51 to 55: Mind of Void
- 56 to 60: Eons of Evil
Promotional gifts[ | ]
- Spanish Demo CD
- Ultra Pro deck box with Dual life counter
- Playmat featuring Jace Beleren and Liliana Vess
- Binder featuring Jace, the Mind Sculptor
- Salvat Comic "La senda del Planeswalker" (Path of the Planeswalker)
Each issue also contained a booster from Worldwake or Magic 2011.