Opening The First Magic: The Gathering Packs I Ever Bought! 

Can you do me a favor? We did a brand new episode of Office Hours with Ashiok and I would love it if you took a moment to go watch it if you have not already: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-vHQ2R7n3EwU.html

This video goes to show that Magic is like an old friend. No matter how long it's been, the next time you see each other it's always the same.

Here's a piece of worthless trivia for your collection... That starter deck was received by Hastings store 9693 in Helena, MT in July 1995. I was a receiving manager at that time at another store. I can still discern the codes on the labels printed in the backroom. 55 was the code for trade paperbacks. Probably not correct but collectibles weren't a thing yet. I think they became 59 eventually... maybe? not certain.

Revealing the mat screaming "BUY SINGLES" at the end was chef's-kiss juxtaposition. ❤

5:12 "Yes, I bought it from Rudy." Well, if you want vintage product that you know is legit, he's definitely a good source for it.

You wasn't just rebuilding your collection...you were rebuilding your soul...Congratulations on everything you have accomplished Professor Brian

Me: I'll see what the funny magic man is up to this time! *20 minutes later* Me: STOP MAKING ME FEEL THINGS!

Prof: “Back in the ‘90s…” My brain: “…I was in a very famous TV show.”

10:10 young prof really hit them with the "30 black lotus, 30 plague rats, thats all you need" deck

I absolutely love this episode. Seeing the profs genuine enthusiasm about seeing his nostalgia made manifest in card form. Not value. Just opening cards for the sake of opening cards. Pure enjoyment. The stories of his classic cards. Fantastic. It was great getting to see a revised opening, and even better with profs flair

This video made me emotional, and made me appreciate Magic and how it impacted my life over the years even more. Love ya, Prof!

As someone who only got in to Magic during Bloomburrow I hope I can look back fondly on my time with MTG the way you have in this video.

this was my experiencing opening darksteel packs again when i got back into magic recently. heartwarming stuff 😭

I am still drawn to the old art. They have a timeworn, haunting quality to them like tarot cards or old D&D art. They exude beauty, magic and danger and dabbling in magic should always feel dangerous.

Thank you so much for making this. I started in 4th edition the exact same way, a starter and some boosters, and oddly enough Nightmare was my first rare too! I sold my cards to move after college, and genuinely feel so many emotions hearing you talk about your similar experience. Appreciate all you do and wish you nothing but continued success

I would argue that appreciating the old art isn't because of nostalgia but because it has charm. I remember watching Cardcaptor Sakura a few years ago, a show I had never seen before, and just fell in love with the art style and animation, the opening, even the dubbing.

What I love about old art is how often you can see backgrounds that are just marbled paper. Even the moxes all have it, the artist just grabbed some of that marbled paper and used it as an instant background so they only had to paint the subject on it. It's genius and it has held up so well.

As someone who started at the same time, I think I know what you mean when you say there’s something special about this set. For me, it’s that the set is mostly generic (Giant Growth, Lightning Bolt, Shatter, Disenchant, Gray Ogre, Wall of … and so on) with hints of special people or locations (Serra Angel, Sengir Vampire, Shivan Dragon). Nowadays, the vast majority of spells and creatures are tied to the plane-of-the-month, or a Planeswalker, or they feel more like “events” than spells (“Annie Joins Up” is an event, not a spell, and there’s thousands of these). This takes away the imagination, as you tried to fill in the blanks of the world. Magic 2010 recaptured this somewhat (Divination is the perfect representative spell for what I mean), but we haven’t seen anything like that since.

This was so great. I started with Urza’s Saga. My mom threw away my cards on accident when we moved away from the friends who taught me. She didn’t know and was so upset. It was okay, I wasn’t angry. I didn’t play again until Forgotten Realms. I recognize the art from a bunch of these cards. I also loved walls. Thanks Professor!

As a former Hastings employee, this was delightfully nostalgic. Sadly, Hastings went under back in 2016.

I think the simplicity of the early art makes it more memorable and iconic. The new art has so much going on that it doesn't stick in your head as much

Reminder: Josh is older than the professor.

It’s 100% not only nostalgia, there’s a theme or style to the older cards that’s very unique and endearing. When I came back to Magic a few years ago I rebuilt a vintage zombie deck with only cards from around 1994-2001 all the best cards I wanted when I was a kid no budget, and I look at that deck every other day out of enjoyment of the vibe of the cards.

Love the story about your friend's dad. It would be funny to see such an interaction today with all the modern keywords.

Im sitting here with tears in my eyes, writing this comment and remembering the old good days. You had nothing to worry about, went home with the boys from school at 12 am. Wev been 10 years old and went directly to the stationary shop to buy a booster pack of Darksteel or Innistrad from our pocket money. Whoever had the biggest creature on the board was most likely to win the match. Greetings from Germany

10:46 This reminds me of when I lent my Goblin Guide set to a friend while the ones he bought hadn't arrived yet. And the day he got his, he put them in the deck and forgot to take mine out. Talking to him during FNM "Man, the deck is on fire today! It's all game: mana, Guide. Mana, Guide, Guide". When he realized, he talked to the store owner and asked to disqualify him lol

I practically cried when I saw that revised starter deck from Hastings. Both Revised and Hastings where big elements in my life when they existed. I live less than 100 yards from where that deck was distributed out to, and I think about that company, both good and bad, almost every day (even though it's been out of business for almost 10 years now.) All those commons and uncommon where part of my first deck. Giant spiders, and woolly mammoths and craw wurms all giant growth'ed or my walls of wood early on. God it was so bad, but I miss it. And seeing that green security tag, and tamper sticker made me remember decades of my life going into the store, and renting videos, or buying books, or things I got away with because I was a kid. Or later on when I had the job of receiving all of that stuff for the company, and sending it to go to the warehouse, and all the memories I had from that time of my life. Happy 1 million prof. And thank you for sharing such a touching memory.

Watching you re-experience the joy of a time long past is one of the most positive experiences I've had in weeks, Prof. Thanks for sharing that.

It’s always beautiful to see someone reliving their childhood through things like this, especially someone who’s helped so many people make memories they’ll look back on the same way someday.

Thanks Prof for the memories! My son and I started playing during Revised and when he went into the Army in 2000 I put all of my cards into my closet as all of the LGS in my area closed and there was no one to play MtG with. In 2015 I discovered that an LGS had opened up near me and I dug my cards out of the closet and was shocked at they were now worth. I've drafted, found out what Planeswlkers were, and am now playing MtG Commander twice a week...and...BTW...I had one of those BIG birthdays this year (65) and I still enjoy playing as much as ever. And everyone at both the LGS that I frequent treat me as 'just one of the guys' even though I'm old enough to be their father or grandfather. I conquer with your wisdom...Don't Ever Sell Your Collection...and it's not because of the money, its the Memories! Keep the Great Videos Coming!

For what it’s worth, I got into MTG just this year so I have no memory of early sets to have nostalgia of, and I love the art style of the older cards I can find.

Really enjoyed this video Prof. Magic started for me with tragedy. As a young kid in 2nd and 3rd grade, I played Yugioh with my friends. I had most of the rare and powerful cards. My uncle played Magic, and we'd talk about the similarities and differences between the games. Then, he died of a random heart attack. All his Magic cards were left to me. Thousands of cards from the first few editions of Magic. He only had one deck built, an Elf tribal deck. I started playing to remember him, and once my friends and I realized it was the far superior game, we all switched. I sold all my valuable Yugioh cards in a garage sale for a couple bucks. While I regret the value loss, I gained a life-long passion for Magic. I was only 8 when he passed, now 29. I still have his original Elf deck, but have upgraded it over the years and converted it to Commander. I like to think that he would be proud of what his deck has become, and the decks I have built since. His Demonic Tutor from Revised is in my favorite deck I've built, the "Oops, All Tezzerets and All Swords of ____ & ____" deck. This video was a lot of nostalgia for me. I have taught many people how to play and built them decks. My not-so-little brother and our friends play every week. I still pull out the Elves often. My only regret is that I never got to play a game with my Uncle Rich. He would've loved your channel. Thanks for sharing your memories of Magic with us! Now, let's Shuffle Up, and Play!!!

I know Douglas Shuler used to get a lot of hate for being too basic compared to other artists, but so many of his cards are ICONIC. From Bob Ross looking lands to Demonic Tutor and Serra Angel, such a vibe.

I dont know about anyone else but this video had a comfy feel to it. Like just sitting next to a fire on a cold night comfy feeling. I love this format Professor. Thank you for uploading this video!

This might be my favorite video on the channel. Lots of cards I remember from childhood, and then Prof is having the time of his life opening these cards. Perhaps card games are good after all. ;)

This is giving big Mr. Roger’s vibes and I’m so here for it 😭❤️

This might be one of my all time favourite videos of yours, professor. The pure love and joy you feel about the game, the tales and memories you share as you flash by the cards, i could listen to this for hours and be washed away by a feeling of nostalgia for a time I wasn't even alive to experience firsthand. Magic is at it's best when we share our experiences with others, and I'm glad you decided to share this one with us. Much love, prof ❤

I love these blast from the past videos. Always fun to see which set was new when people started playing MTG.

Thank you for sharing this. It's amazing how many memories old cards hold that come flooding back once you see them again.

So lovely to see Prof genuinely loving opening magic packs of his past. Great video!

Giant 'Insert Animal Name here' - The base for being an absolute classic

What a wholesome video. I remember as a kid, my older cousin gave me his bulk from the original Kamigawa. Got me to play a bit, until I really began with 2015 Core Set. Hope I can open a box of original Kamigawa one day for the nostalgia

Every time the prof talks about magic with so much nostalgia, i don't know why, it makes me want to cry, I really love his content a lot

Man you were blessed to have a great father that was interested in your hobbies. He raised a fine man, Love you prof

I actually burst into tears watching this listening to you reminiscing made me think of when I started and opened my first revised starter back in '94. Thinking of my old friends and the past just got to me. There was something way more special about the old cards from Revised that cards just don't have nowadays. I'm glad you were able to feel that feeling again from our youth. Thank you for sharing. 🥰

I may be decades younger than you, but my dad introduced me and my siblings to magic with his old collection with a variety of cards from the 90s when I was around 8, and while those cards are way before my time, it still brings me nostalgia thinking back to when I started playing. this was a great video. Thanks for posting it, Prof

Love to see how much joy you got from opening these and taking us on a trip down (your) memory lane! Thanks for this Prof! 🤙🏻

I was like 13 when MTG came out. I bought a few packs but had no idea how to play. Still have really great memories of those days.

Nostalgic ✨ Professor thank you for sharing your stories of Magic history. To me it's your blast from the past Doctor Who precon introduction video that brought me to Magic, 2 months after you posted that videos. I was so in heaven when I had purchased 18 hand picked Doctor Who set cards from my local game stores in Macau, China. I am forever grateful 💕

The nostalgia is enriched by the goals we have accomplished and the ambitions we have now. We did not know it at the time but all the positive impact of this game continues to make our memories shine brighter. While we glorify the past it is important to appreciate the present and future for continuing to strive for better. For without that, the memories would dim or be forgotten. Thank you for taking me and others back to our first days of this great game and community.

I have to say I appreciate how raw and honest you are about the love of this game. Thank you. You represent all of the ways this amazing game has enhanced our lives. Thank you prof!

As a newer, younger magic player, I personally highly prefer the older art. While some of it might be a love for vintage looking things, I also feel that the cards had more character at the time. The biggest thing for me is the older border combined with this much more hand drawn feel to a lot of the art. Just love old school art (and premodern because of it

I love the prof's passion for the game, it's super contagious and I'm sure I'm not the only one who got it from him. Keep it on prof! For this and many years!

I am amazed by how similar our early stories are (we were born the same year, based on what you've said in other videos). You started probably a couple months before me; when I started playing, Revised had pretty much disappeared from all the game stores around me, so I got started with 3 "Weener Decks" my closest game store sold consisting of 40 random bulk cards, and importantly 20 basic lands. My first paycheck paid for an unlimited Black Lotus ($100) that I traded to a friend for about half their collection that I used to jump-start my collection. Won my first tournament match with mono black weenie when my opponent tried to drop a chaos orb on my breeding pits and hit his own Underworld Dreams and Howling Mine (it was the first time I'd seen a chaos orb). The first deck I built was thallids from the Fallen Empires packs I was able to get. Like you, I sold my collection off (I left behind my play group to go to college) and regretted it once I got interested again. Heck, I even became an academic! (Librarian instead of Professor though)

I love watching the opening of classic packs, but i love even more hearing about the stories and memories. Thank you for sharing, what a great video.

That Hastings price tag is super nostalgic

This video and these words touched my heart. Over the years of playing Magic many friends would tell me to never sell my cards and sometimes hard times would come and you'd need a few bucks here and there. My last friend I got back into Magic also told me to keep my cards and that his would collect dust. He took his life tragically and the hard times continued and I ended up selling my entire collection.. I hope to one day be able to rebuild yet I do not see it in any near future. I hope this video also inspires others to keep playing as you have done for me and my friends thank you to the professor and the entire team that bring us these videos and make a world of difference for all of us you'll never know what kind of butterfly effect we will have. Thank you all for your time, and keep playing Magic my friends till the end of time itself. 💜

There's more than nostalgia to that art. It's iconic, it's wonderful, it's really really good. Furthermore, it was so iconic that the style of the artist was immediately recognizable throughout different cards. Less is more, and overall I enjoy this way more than most of the overdetailed artwork in today's sets.

This was one of the best videos I've seen in a long time. I do have a relevant happy story. I recently got my wife into Lorcana, and seeing her enter tournaments with me and hearing her excitement on the drive home as she talks about her wins and losses on the way home is one of the best times for me.

love you prof, thank you for everything you have done for us!!!

Happy 1 Million subs prof :) I remember getting into Magic back in the end 2022. I stumbled across your channel because I had no idea what the difference between set packs and draft packs were. Your channel has helped me, a still-new and learning player, how to play and appreciate this wonderful game. You really are a wonderful and entertaining person and a great teacher at MTG. Thank you and congrats again! Here’s to another 1 million!

4 Tim's were my jam back in the 90's. My Timmy control deck was a nightmare for my friends.

Truly so wholesome, these kinda of experiences are so special. Congrats to the prof, it's amazing to see what has been built up starting from your passion for the hobby

10:52 Many kids surrounding me ask the question: why do I have more than four copies of Giant Growth in my deck?

I recently got into magic at the beginning of this year and I was instantly drawn to the old art style for many cards. I think the lack of congruity between the art styles of the time really added a lot of soul to it. It is similar to me in old dnd art books, where often the simplistic/random art can cause your imagination to stir and you create a story in your head. Time walk is by far to me the best piece of art from the era and it is just so provoking because of those reasons. Great video professor loved seeing you relive such amazing memories!

I started with Magic just 2 Years ago. Friends got me into Commander, first I played their Deck and then I got my first Precon. So my first Magic Set is Dominaria United and my first ever Commander is Dihada, Binder of Wills. I hope like 20 Years I will look back a this Set and feel as much joy and wonder as the Professor

Honestly this video made me tear up a bit. It was just so nice to watch someone reminisce about the cards they use to play and pull a few that they loved and still love! Thank you Prof! This video was amazing!

I sold my first collection too, and man oh man, you aren't kidding I regret it. I really wish I still had those, but moreso wish I still had the ability to play with the people I used to play with, too. I have new family/friends that play now, and I'm super happy about that, but I can't help but miss the old group.

As someone who has exactly 0 nostalgia for old magic and does not play often. You are right. The old card art has a nice appealing quality to it. It has very little restriction, its not overly cohesive. There is beauty in the imperfection and rougher quality. The new art is beautiful, no doubt, and the artists behind them are absolutely amazing, but the older art feels 'closer to home' so to speak, and less mass-produced. Of course nostalgia will make you treasure these cards more than usual, but that is absolutely NOT the only, or even most important reason. I find a lot of the art on the cards shown here to be freakin' sweet, so you're not alone.

Bloomburrow was my first set, opened a bundle, play booster box, and collector after going to the pre release. I wonder if ill go back and open more later down the road

Truthfully one of the coolest videos you've ever put out. This was amazing. Thanks for sharing it and your stories with us Prof!

As someone who started playing in OGW, I've always thought the old art had a very distinct almost impressionist painting style to it that gives it a certain charm. Just look at the colors in that pyroblast at 9:15

7:00 the voice starts to crack and the nostalgia kicks in. This is iconic, and I thank you for the experience. Also, the MSRP needs to come back.

Oh I thought that this would be the wubby collab lol

I went to Lloyd Center In Portland in 1995 when I was seven years old to buy pogs and saw this new game I had never seen before. I purchased the set you are opening right now and the Ice Age starter. I didn't understand how to play the game so they sat for years. I eventually got into Pokémon in the late 90s then Yu-Gi-Oh then Magic in the early 2000's. I didn't play for years until a partner of mine was interested in 2012, at that point in time I was out of high school and running a few D&D games. I fell in love with the cards again, but then started working and they gathered dust in several closets and storage units. Fallout being one of my favorite game franchises since a young age and Doctor Who being one of my favorite shows of all time got me back into it a few months ago. Then I discovered your channel and I am fully addicted again. I still have many cards from my childhood and love commander. Thank you so much for making this video.

Bought a revised pack at Magiccon Amsterdam, seeing how long I can hold onto before cracking 😅

Loved this episode. Your monologue was the best. Brought a tear to my face. Thank you. 🙏

Sounds familiar ... bought more Starter decks than Boosters .. they had better chance of rares and theboosters often had 3 basic lands in it ! 🤘🦁🤘

Always fun to see history revisited but the most satisfying and resonating part for me was watching you fill in the spaces in your collection, built the way it we did, one pack at a time ❤

Bought my first Magic cards in 2001 when I was a kid and did not get into the actual game much but loved the artwork. Here I am in 2024 just played my first Commander game last week and I am in love. Love your channel by the way, it has been a wonderful tool over the past week.

Your history is awesome only 1:00 beautiiiifuuuulll basics lands

Genuine prof here so chill. The atmosphere is so heartwarming. That what made me to start watching ya.great video. Congrats on 1🍋

No views? 60 seconds ago? Let me change that

I love the glee shown by the prof. Thanks so much for sharing. Brought back so many memories. Revised and Ice age were about when I started. I’m only now getting back into the hobby. Thanks for all the great TCC videos!

You can see the little kid coming through in you while rejoicing about those old cards. It’s so lovely to see.

One of the best posts ever!!!! Nothing better than nostalgic pack openings! You get a small taste of what Openboosters experiences rather often. Congratulations on your not exactly specified age birthday!

Thank you for this video, Prof. Every video you release shows your deep love for this game we all share, but this one felt even more special.

I got into MTG when I was 13, right as the Dark launched. I dropped it right after Ice Age, selling most of my cards. I’ve watched a bunch of deck openings before, but THIS is the one that brought me right back to the mid 90’s. Thanks, Prof.

I love to see/hear your joy as you open up these cards. Congrats on a million subscribers!

i just love how you are geting excited opening the revived card, i was able to get my hands on a old ruke book my lgs gave me and it is the pride of my collection, so i feel the excitement, i started back in 1995 , so thank you for shareing this excitement with all of us

This is unbelievably heartwarming ❤😭 Thank you for your memories and sharing your stories, Prof!

This video really made me reminisce about all the old products that I grew up with, like the old fat packs, tournament packs, core set 8th & 9th edition, that no longer exsist today. What a great video

We love you prof! Thanks for all of the time and life you dedicated to providing us good MTG content.

I was about 6 or 7 when Magic first started. Honestly, I wish I could have been a part of this back then and share in the nostalgia. This is closest I'll probably get to experiencing it. Thank you for this. We appreciate you and what you do.

This may be be my new favorite TCC video. It made me feel old... but in a good way. I started playing MTG in 1995, so I didn't get as many Revised packs as I did Homelands and Fallen Empires. I still love playing with those cards to this day, even if I can't win a single game with them. Like you said, there's something just so right about the art from that era. They aren't as vibrant as the cards today, but that's what I like about them. I feel like I'm turning the pages of an old spell book every time I draw a card. I remember the packs even had a unique smell when you opened them up. Thanks for rekindling those fond memories.

I think the thing that makes the old art pop is just that it feels earnest. It doesn't feel like a commercial product as much as it feels like a work of art as a whole.

Congrats on 1 mil! Love these old product openings and reviews. Very happy to see you continue to rebuild that collection.

Most wholesome and genuine MTG opening ever. Pulling the War Mammoth card shortly after telling the 'giant growth' story brought a huge smile to my face.

Honestly, great way to celebrate 1mil. Just a chill video, open heart, just telling stories.

Thanks for the walk down memory lane Prof! Enjoyed the Nostalgic experience of seeing those cards for the first time. So much so it inspired me to build a Dakkon Blackblade commander deck using only cards I have had since the start of playing magic (revised,4th& 5th) . Cheers!