Everything You Need to Know About From the Vault: Relics

Last updated on September 26, 2023

Aether Vial | Illustration by Karl Kopinski

The From the Vault series of Magic products was a lovely concept that isn’t dissimilar from today’s Secret Lairs. They were a way to show off iconic cards under specific themes, like From the Vault: Lore which included fifteen cards highlighting many of Magic’s most iconic story beats, like Obliterate.

From the Vault: Relics focused on a more concrete theme: artifacts! Arguably one of Magic’s most broken card types, Relics highlighted several iconic artifacts. It also managed to print several cards from the Reserved List in a unique move that ultimately saw the policies surrounding the List change.

From the Vault: Relics Basic Information

Ivory Tower | Illustration by Jason Chan

Set Details

Set Symbol:
Set Code:	V10
Number of Cards:	15

Important Dates

What Was the MSRP of From the Vault: Relics?

The MSRP of From the Vault: Relics was $34.99.

From the Vault: Relics Full Card List

• Aether Vial
• Black Vise
• Isochron Scepter
• Ivory Tower
• Jester's Cap
• Karn, Silver Golem
• Masticore
• Mirari
• Mox Diamond
• Memory Jar
• Nevinyrral's Disk
• Sol Ring
• Sundering Titan
• Sword of Body and Mind
• Zuran Orb

Notable Cards

Sword of Body and Mind is the bane of all Simic players in Commander but is a notable addition to Relics. This card was released as a preview card in this product before its proper release in Scars of Mirrodin later that year.

Of all the cards in the set, Aether Vial is the one to see the most competitive play in recent years. A crucial part of Legacy Goblins and Death and Taxes, it was also a big role-player in Modern Death and Taxes lists, as well as Merfolk decks, though the Vial’s time in Modern has mostly passed.

From the Vault: Relics and the Reserved List

The Reserved List is a set of Magic cards that Wizards of the Coast won’t reprint to help preserve their value. A few notable cards on the Reserved List include the original dual lands and Gaea's Cradle.

Four cards on the Reserved List found their way to From the Vault: Relics: Mox Diamond, Memory Jar, Karn, Silver Golem, and Masticore.

Wizards could reprint these cards because the original policy specified that the Reserved List couldn’t get reprinted as non-premium cards, but the Vault series was an exception because they’re all premium foils. This loophole also saw Phyrexian Negator get a reprint in Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs The Coalition. Due to community backlash, Wizards amended the policy to include that Reserved List cards can’t be printed as premium cards.

Wrap Up

Zuran Orb | Illustration by Ryan Pancoast

In a world of Secret Lairs that offer vivid alternate arts that don’t always look like what we traditionally think of as a Magic card, it’s interesting to look back on From the Vault. It was discontinued in 2017, two years before the first Secret Lairs were released, and it’s easy to draw a connection between the two concepts.

From the Vault: Relics is a particularly interesting specimen. The inclusion of Reserved List cards made the overall value of the product immense, though it shut the door for future reprints of Reserved List cards that weren’t digital-only products.

Do you prefer From the Vault or Secret Lair? Do you want to see more Reserved List cards get reprints? Let me know in the comments or on the Draftsim Discord!

Stay safe, and construct some artifacts!

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