For years, Magic: the Gathering players have debated whether the game is experiencing severe power creep. Every new set seems to introduce creatures that draw cards, generate value, and impact the board immediately, leading many veterans to compare them unfavorably to older cards.

Power creep—the gradual increase in card strength over time—has been one of the most influential forces shaping the evolution of Magic: The Gathering design. While it’s not always a bad thing, its impact is undeniable. In the early years of MTG, even simple effects felt powerful because they were new and unexplored.