Shards of Alara set symbol
The Shards of Alara expansion symbol (ALA, 2008) sits on the right of the type line on modern frames — match that glyph to the icon on this page, not a later reprint of the same characters.
Set code
ala
Released
Oct 2008
Cards
250
Type
Expansion
Lookalikes & traps
Binder piles mix Shards of Alara with adjacent Standard sets. Silhouette first, then ALA, before you trust a lot listing title. Also watch foil vs nonfoil: sheen does not change which set Shards of Alara is.
Confirm after the icon
Bottom information line should show collector number + set code ALA (and usually a C/U/R/M rarity letter). On Shards / Alara, mismatch between listing title and ALA is the usual bait-and-switch.
How to identify Shards of Alara cards
- 1
Start with the Shards of Alara glyph silhouette; art style alone will not separate this expansion product from guests and remasters.
- 2
Read rarity from symbol color on Shards of Alara: black common, silver uncommon, gold rare, orange mythic — foil sheen does not change it.
- 3
Confirm set code ALA and the collector number on the information line under the text box.
- 4
Finish with a Tappr scan when Shards / Alara appears under multiple set codes in the same lot.
Rarity by symbol color
Modern rarity colors on the Shards of Alara symbol: black common (white only in rare one-set exceptions like Dominaria), silver uncommon, gold rare, orange/red-orange mythic. Foil, showcase, and borderless treatments keep the same rarity color — they change finish/frame, not the C/U/R/M letter.
Legend shows the modern post-Exodus palette. Pre-Exodus sets and special rarities (for example Time Spiral purple timeshifted) follow the rarity reading above — not this swatch row alone.
FAQ
What does the Shards of Alara set symbol look like?
The Shards of Alara expansion symbol (ALA, 2008) sits on the right of the type line on modern frames — match that glyph to the icon on this page, not a later reprint of the same characters. Reprints of Shards / Alara under other codes keep different glyphs — match the icon, then ALA.
What is the Shards of Alara set code?
The set code is ALA. It appears with the collector number on modern cards. If you see a different code, you are not holding the Shards of Alara printing even when the name matches.
How do I read rarity on a Shards of Alara card?
Modern rarity colors on the Shards of Alara symbol: black common (white only in rare one-set exceptions like Dominaria), silver uncommon, gold rare, orange/red-orange mythic. Foil, showcase, and borderless treatments keep the same rarity color — they change finish/frame, not the C/U/R/M letter.
How do I confirm a Shards of Alara card quickly?
Icon match → rarity reading for this era → ALA + collector number. Binder piles mix Shards of Alara with adjacent Standard sets. Silhouette first, then ALA, before you trust a lot listing title.. Tappr can finish the printing match when the listing is ambiguous.
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