MTG Formats Explained: Every Way to Play Magic

What Is a Format?

A format is a set of rules that defines which cards are legal and how decks are built. Formats exist because Magic has printed over 27,000 unique cards across 30+ years — allowing all of them in a single game would create chaos. Formats slice the card pool into manageable, balanced chunks so that games play fairly.

Formats fall into three broad categories:

• Constructed — you build a deck from your own collection before the event
• Limited — you build a deck on the spot from booster packs you open at the event
• Casual/Multiplayer — community-driven formats with their own rules and culture

Constructed Formats

In constructed formats, you bring a pre-built deck. Most require 60 cards minimum (Commander requires 100). You can include up to 4 copies of any card except basic lands.

Standard

Standard is Magic’s flagship rotating format. Only cards from the most recent 2–3 years of sets are legal, so the metagame shifts every few months as new sets arrive and older ones rotate out.

Detail	Value
Deck size	60 minimum
Card pool	Last 5–8 Standard-legal sets (~2–3 years)
Rotation	Annual — oldest sets leave when the fall set releases
Sideboard	15 cards
Where to play	FNM, Arena, RCQs, Pro Tour

Best for: Players who want a fresh, evolving metagame and don’t want to invest in decades of card history. Standard is also the most accessible competitive format on MTG Arena.

Pioneer

Pioneer is a non-rotating constructed format that includes all Standard-legal sets from Return to Ravnica (2012) forward. Created in 2019, it fills the gap between Standard’s small card pool and Modern’s massive one.

Detail	Value
Deck size	60 minimum
Card pool	Return to Ravnica (2012) through present
Rotation	None — cards are legal forever once they enter the format
Sideboard	15 cards
Where to play	FNM, RCQs, Regional Championships, Pro Tour

Best for: Players who want a deeper card pool than Standard without the price tag or complexity of Modern. Pioneer decks tend to be more affordable than Modern decks.

Modern

Modern is the most popular non-rotating constructed format. It includes all cards printed in Standard-legal sets from Eighth Edition (2003) forward, plus cards from Modern-specific sets like Modern Horizons.

Detail	Value
Deck size	60 minimum
Card pool	8th Edition (2003) through present + Modern Horizons sets
Rotation	None
Sideboard	15 cards
Where to play	FNM, RCQs, Grand Prix, Pro Tour

Best for: Experienced players who enjoy deep format knowledge, powerful card interactions, and long-term deck investment. Modern decks can be expensive but hold their value well.

Legacy

Legacy is an eternal format that allows cards from Magic’s entire 30+ year history, with a curated ban list to keep things in check. It features some of the most powerful and iconic cards ever printed.

Detail	Value
Deck size	60 minimum
Card pool	All Magic cards ever printed (minus banned list)
Rotation	None
Sideboard	15 cards
Where to play	Specialty events, some FNM locations, occasional large tournaments

Best for: Enfranchised players who love Magic’s full card pool and don’t mind the higher price of entry. Legacy games are fast, interactive, and deeply strategic.

Vintage

Vintage is Magic’s oldest and most powerful format. Like Legacy, it allows cards from all of Magic’s history, but instead of banning overpowered cards, Vintage restricts them — limiting the most broken cards to one copy per deck rather than removing them entirely.

Detail	Value
Deck size	60 minimum
Card pool	All Magic cards ever printed (restricted list instead of ban list)
Rotation	None
Sideboard	15 cards
Where to play	Specialty events, Magic Online, proxy-friendly local groups

Best for: Players who want to experience Magic at maximum power level. Vintage decks often include cards like Black Lotus and the Moxen — the most expensive cards in the game. Many Vintage communities allow proxies (stand-in cards) to make the format accessible despite card prices.

Pauper

Pauper is a constructed format where only cards printed at the common rarity are legal. Despite the rarity restriction, Pauper features surprisingly deep gameplay because many powerful cards have been printed at common over Magic’s history.

Detail	Value
Deck size	60 minimum
Card pool	All cards ever printed at common rarity
Rotation	None
Sideboard	15 cards
Where to play	FNM, Magic Online, some paper events

Best for: Budget-conscious players who want competitive Magic without spending hundreds on a deck. Most Pauper decks cost $30–$100.

Limited Formats

In Limited formats, you don’t bring a deck — you build one at the event from booster packs you open on the spot. Limited tests your ability to evaluate cards, build a coherent deck under constraints, and adapt to what you open.

Booster Draft

Booster Draft is the most popular Limited format. Eight players sit in a circle, each opens a booster pack, picks one card, and passes the rest to the next player. This continues through three packs, and then each player builds a 40-card deck from what they drafted.

Detail	Value
Deck size	40 minimum
Card source	3 booster packs per player
Players	Typically 8 (one “pod”)
Basic lands	Provided freely
Where to play	FNM, Arena, prerelease events, Pro Tour

Best for: Players who enjoy skill-testing gameplay that doesn’t depend on collection size. Draft rewards reading signals from other players, evaluating cards on the fly, and building synergy from limited options.

Sealed Deck

Sealed Deck gives each player six booster packs to open and build the best 40-card deck they can. Unlike Draft, there is no passing — you work with what you open.

Detail	Value
Deck size	40 minimum
Card source	6 booster packs per player
Players	Any number
Basic lands	Provided freely
Where to play	Prerelease events, Arena, Grand Prix Day 1

Best for: New players and anyone who enjoys the puzzle of building from a random pool. Sealed is the primary format at prerelease events — the first chance to play with a new set.

Multiplayer Formats

Commander (EDH)

Commander is Magic’s most popular format by a wide margin. Each player builds a 100-card singleton deck led by a legendary creature (their “commander”). Games are typically four-player free-for-all with 40 starting life.

Detail	Value
Deck size	Exactly 100 (including commander)
Card copies	1 of each (singleton) — except basic lands
Starting life	40
Players	Typically 4
Card pool	Nearly all cards ever printed
Where to play	Everywhere — game stores, kitchen tables, online via SpellTable

Best for: Social players who enjoy politics, big plays, and games that tell a story. Commander is where most Magic players spend their time.

cEDH (Competitive EDH)

cEDH is Commander played at maximum power level. Same rules, completely different philosophy — cEDH players optimize for winning as fast and consistently as possible, using infinite combos, fast mana, and precise threat assessment.

Best for: Players who love Commander’s 100-card singleton rules but want a competitive, tournament-level experience.

Two-Headed Giant

Two-Headed Giant pairs players into teams of two who share a turn and a combined life total (typically 30). Each player brings their own deck, and teams work together against other pairs.

Best for: Players who enjoy cooperative gameplay and team strategy. Two-Headed Giant events are common at prereleases.

Casual Formats

These formats don’t have official Wizards of the Coast sanction but are widely played in the community.

Kitchen Table Magic

The original way to play — grab whatever cards you own, build a deck, and play with friends. No ban lists, no rotation, no rules committee. Kitchen table Magic is whatever your playgroup agrees it is.

Best for: New players, casual groups, and anyone who plays Magic for fun without worrying about competitive balance.

Cube Draft

Cube is a custom draft format where one player curates a collection of cards (the “cube”) and players draft from it. Cubes can be built around any theme — all-time greatest cards, budget commons, a specific set’s era, or anything else the creator imagines.

Best for: Draft enthusiasts who want a replayable, customizable draft experience. Building and maintaining a cube is a hobby in itself.

Jumpstart

Jumpstart gives each player two themed 20-card half-decks that they shuffle together to make a 40-card deck. Pick two themes, combine them, and play — no deckbuilding required.

Best for: Absolute beginners who want to play Magic in five minutes.

The Complete Format Comparison

Format	Type	Deck Size	Card Pool	Typical Cost	Popularity
Standard	Constructed	60	Recent 2–3 years	$100–$400	High
Pioneer	Constructed	60	2012–present	$150–$500	Growing
Modern	Constructed	60	2003–present	$300–$1,500	High
Legacy	Constructed	60	All sets	$1,000–$5,000+	Niche
Vintage	Constructed	60	All sets	$10,000+ (or proxies)	Very niche
Pauper	Constructed	60	Commons only	$30–$100	Growing
Draft	Limited	40	3 booster packs	$12–$18 per event	High
Sealed	Limited	40	6 booster packs	$25–$40 per event	High
Commander	Multiplayer	100	Nearly all sets	$50–$500+	Highest
cEDH	Multiplayer	100	Nearly all sets	$1,000–$10,000+	Niche

Which Format Should You Play?

Choosing a format depends on three things: your budget, your play style, and who you play with.

“I’m brand new to Magic.”
Start with Sealed at a prerelease event or Jumpstart at your local game store. Both require zero collection and teach you the game through playing it. If you prefer digital, MTG Arena’s tutorial and Standard ladder are free.

“I want competitive Magic on a budget.”
Pauper gives you a competitive experience for under $100. Standard on Arena is free-to-play. Draft events cost $12–$18 per session and require no collection.

“I want to play with friends at home.”
Commander is the default social format. Buy a preconstructed deck ($40–$55) and you are ready to play.

“I want to compete at a high level.”
Pick Standard, Pioneer, or Modern and learn it deeply. Enter Friday Night Magic, then Regional Championship Qualifiers. The path to the Pro Tour starts at your local game store.

“I want to play the most powerful cards ever printed.”
Legacy or Vintage let you tap into Magic’s full 30-year card pool. Legacy has the more active tournament scene; Vintage is often played with proxies.

“I already play Commander and want more variety.”
Try Draft — it uses a completely different skill set and keeps things fresh between Commander nights.

Further Reading

• Commander — the complete guide to Magic’s most popular format
• Format — general overview of Magic formats
• Standard — the rotating constructed format
• Modern — the non-rotating constructed format
• Draft — booster draft explained
• Pro Tour — how competitive Magic works at the highest level
• Magic: The Gathering formats on Wikipedia — comprehensive format list with history