Magic Set Editor 2

After playing Magic: The Gathering for a while, one might want to switch to creating MTG cards. After all, why would Wizards have all the fun? From what I gathered, several programs let you design Magic cards, but Magic Set Editor can be used to create entire sets.

The card editor is very ergonomic. Based on real Magic card templates, it lets you edit everything from the title to set symbol and artist name. You can select the card type and sub-type from handy drop-down menus, but you can also write your own. Adding cost symbols will also modify the template in real time. For example, adding a second color to a spell's cost will turn the template into a dual colored card. However, you can override this and play with the different visual elements to create the most atypical magic cards ever. Unfortunately, there's no possibility to have the art spill onto the layout. So you can't emulate the Unhinged/Unglued style, unfortunately.

Magic Set Editor also includes a vector-based drawing program for creating set symbols. It feels a bit wonky and lacking in controls, but, fortunately, you can also import standard image files, which MSE converts to curves and makes them editable. Still, you will need a little time to figure out how to make them look the part.

Every card that you create is registered as part of a set and can be exported as such. After all, it is called Magic Set Editor. The statistics tab shows the card distribution across three of the two dozen criteria types, such as color, casting cost, colored cost, type, rarity, etc. This feature is essential for tweaking and balancing. It can also help you during development.

Magic Set Editor can also simulate pack distribution. Using a random or custom seed, you can experiment with opening any number of regular tournament and booster packs. You can also opt to include additional cards per pack such as lands, tokens, and cards of a specific rarity. Alternatively, you can design the pack composition from scratch.

Sets can be exported into HTML format, or as working sets for Magic Workstation and Apprentice, two programs that let you play with digital Magic cards. You can also export individual cards as JPEG images.

Finally, Magic Set Editor also features a scripting language that, once learned, simplifies the creation process by letting you add custom rules to the card editor.

Features

• Highly customizable card editor
• Set symbol editor
• Advanced statistics
• Pack opening simulator
• Custom script editor

Final Thoughts

Magic Set Editor encompasses most of what one would need when creating a custom Magic: The Gathering set, or even individual cards. The program is not perfect, but it is highly functional. It is clear that the developers put their passion and love to create this excellent tool for the MTG community.