CORE SET 2012 M12 REGULAR MOL FACTORY SET

Magic 2012 introduced a new keyword in Hexproof, which is similar to Shroud except the controller of the permanent can still target it. This ability used to be colloquially referred to as "Troll Shroud" about Troll Ascetic, one of the first and most popular cards with that mechanic.

The keyword Bloodthirst returned after its initial appearance in Guildpact and a small cameo in Future Sight. Unlike its appearance in Guildpact, Bloodthirst was particularly focused in black on its Vampire tribe.

The set also saw the return of Planeswalkers, though it wasn't restricted to the original Lorwyn 'walkers as Gideon Jura and Sorin Markov had cards in the set. For the first time, three new Planeswalker cards were made for a core set. Like in Magic 2011, these planeswalkers had several cards referencing to them.

Notable cards

• Phantasmal Image is a cheaper Clone variant with the Illusion ability, used in tournaments in tribal decks to put onto the battlefield another copy of a significant creature of the tribe (usually a lord). With the old legend rule it was used to kill a legendary creature difficult to kill, such as Emrakul, the Aeons Torn.
  • Phantasmal Image was often played alongside Lord of the Unreal in Standard Illusion decks.
• Swiftfoot Boots is a heavily played card in the casual Commander format, as it can protect each player's valuable legendary creature and enable them to get value out of attacking immediately.
• Grand Abolisher is a powerful way to protect combos from being disrupted.
• Garruk, Primal Hunter and Jace, Memory Adept were Planeswalkers that would go on to dominate their Standard format, appearing as top-end finishers and value engines in numerous midrange and control decks.
• Sundial of the Infinite is the first reappearance of the "end the turn" mechanic since it was first introduced into the rules in Champions of Kamigawa, and it would not appear again until Day's Undoing in Magic Origins.
• Visions of Beyond is a key source of card advantage for Modern decks focused on milling the opponent.
• Manalith is such a simple card that it would come to be the nickname for any three mana artifact that taps for a mana of any color, even being referenced on Svella, Ice Shaper.
• Stonehorn Dignitary is used to significant effect in Pauper decks that can flicker it numerous times to prevent their opponent from ever having a combat phase.
• Gladecover Scout is one of the cheapest creatures with hexproof, making it a perfect fit for Bogles decks in Modern and Pauper.
• The Leylines cycle consisting of Leyline of Sanctity, Leyline of Anticipation, Leyline of the Void, Leyline of Punishment and Leyline of Vitality which are rare enchantments that cost 2 generic plus 2 mana of the appropriate color. Each can start the game in play if it is in a player's opening hand.

Banned and restricted cards

• Circle of Flame is technically banned in Pauper on Magic Online, as it was printed as a common on the client exclusively as a promotional card and would thus be otherwise legal.