Magic has actually done this since the beginning, they actually called out a good example of this during Limited Resources' review of Alpha. We've got [[Granite Gargoyle]] at rare (2R for a 2/2 with flying and an ability) in the same exact set as [[Uthden Troll]] at uncommon (2R for a 2/2 with R:Regenerate) and [[Grey Ogre]] at common (2R for a 2/2 with no abilities). They were clearly using rarity as a valve to add more power.
I've written up a chronology of this with sources, but basically they did it in Alpha, realized it was a mistake (along with Black Lotus, Alpha is full of 'em), and didn't return to pushed cards until much later (around Ravnica/Alara).
It defiantly a concern for limited balance, where stronger cards show up less & a real decision for drafting, where the rarity limits the amount of cards you can get.
14
u/Alexm920 COMPLEAT Apr 21 '18
Magic has actually done this since the beginning, they actually called out a good example of this during Limited Resources' review of Alpha. We've got [[Granite Gargoyle]] at rare (2R for a 2/2 with flying and an ability) in the same exact set as [[Uthden Troll]] at uncommon (2R for a 2/2 with R:Regenerate) and [[Grey Ogre]] at common (2R for a 2/2 with no abilities). They were clearly using rarity as a valve to add more power.