Magic: The Gathering is not a single game, but a family of formats that adapt to different playstyles. From the competitive and dynamic Standard to the social and chaotic Commander, each format offers a different experience. If you are starting out, choosing the right format is as important as learning the rules. In this guide we explain the most important Magic formats so you can find the one that best suits you.
What is a format in Magic?
A format is a set of rules that defines which cards you can use in your deck and how it is built. Some formats limit available cards by release date, others by rarity, and others simply by the construction method. Choosing a format not only determines the cards you will see on the table, but also the pace, strategy, and cost of entry.
Standard: the competitive format par excellence
Standard is the most followed format by the official competitive scene. It only allows cards from the most recent sets, normally between five and eight expansions. Each year, when a new expansion is released, the oldest block rotates and is no longer legal.
Main characteristics:
- Decks of at least 60 cards, with a maximum of four copies of each distinct card.
- Changing and finely tuned metagame for official tournaments.
- Ideal for players who enjoy competition and constantly learning new sets.
- Requires updating the deck with each rotation.
Standard is perfect if you want to play in official tournaments, follow the competitive scene, and experiment with the newest cards. Its main disadvantage is that it requires continuous investment, as cards lose value when they rotate.
Commander: the most popular social format
Commander, also known as EDH (Elder Dragon Highlander), is the most played Magic format worldwide. Each player builds a deck of exactly 100 cards, with no repeated cards except basic lands. The deck is led by a legendary creature card or a Planeswalker that enables certain colors.
Main characteristics:
- Decks of 100 cards, all different from each other.
- Starting life of 40 points and commander damage as a special rule.
- Multiplayer games, usually of three or four people.
- Focused on social fun, interactions, and long games.
Commander is ideal if you prefer to play with friends, use old cards, and create memorable stories at the table. It is the most accessible format for casual collectors, although some competitive decks can be very expensive.
Modern: stability and strategic depth
Modern is an eternal format that allows cards published from 2003 to the present. Unlike Standard, there is no rotation: cards legal in Modern remain so unless they are banned by the banlist.
Main characteristics:
- Decks of at least 60 cards, with a maximum of four copies.
- A stable metagame but with a lot of archetype variety.
- Ideal for players who want to invest in cards that do not lose value due to rotation.
- Requires knowing many historical interactions and combos.
Modern is an excellent option if you are looking for a competitive format with strategic depth and where your investment in cards remains more stable over time. It is more complex than Standard to start with, but in return it offers much more diversity.
Pioneer and Explorer: the intermediate formats
Pioneer is an eternal format that allows cards from Return to Ravnica (2012). Explorer is its digital version on MTG Arena, with the cards available on the platform. Both offer an experience similar to Modern but with less complexity and a lower entry cost.
Main characteristics:
- Fewer sets available than Modern, so it is easier to learn.
- Diverse but more accessible metagame for new players.
- Ideal for those who want an eternal format without the entry barrier of Modern.
Legacy and Vintage: formats for collectors and veterans
Legacy and Vintage are the oldest and most powerful eternal formats in Magic. They allow almost every card in the game’s history, including the rarest and most powerful. Legacy has a restricted banlist, while Vintage limits certain cards to a single copy per deck.
Main characteristics:
- Very fast games with powerful combos.
- Some cards can be worth thousands of euros.
- Metagame defined by decades of game history.
- Recommended only for very experienced players.
Draft and Sealed: booster formats
Draft and Sealed are limited formats, which means you build your deck from booster packs opened during the event. In Draft, players choose cards from packs passed around the table. In Sealed, each player opens six packs and builds a deck with those cards.
Main characteristics:
- You don’t need to bring your own deck.
- Prioritize card evaluation and deck-building skill over metagame knowledge.
- Very popular at prerelease events and store tournaments.
- Ideal for learning to evaluate cards and discover new expansions.
Pauper, Modern Horizons, and other formats
There are also formats like Pauper, where only common cards are allowed; Modern Horizons, a format based on special sets; and Brawl, a 60-card version of Commander designed for MTG Arena. Each has its own community and particular appeal.
Which format to choose?
The choice depends on your playstyle and budget:
- Competition and new cards: Standard or Pioneer.
- Social and multiplayer: Commander.
- Deep strategy and stable investment: Modern.
- Experiment without bringing a deck: Draft or Sealed.
- Collecting and extreme power: Legacy or Vintage.
No format is better than another. The important thing is to find the one you enjoy the most and where you can play regularly with other people.
Conclusion
Magic: The Gathering offers a format for every type of player. From the competitive Standard to the chaotic Commander, through the eternal strategy of Modern and the skill of Draft. Understanding the differences will allow you to choose wisely and enjoy the game much more.
At tcglat we will continue publishing specific guides for each format. In the meantime, choose one, build your deck, and hit the table.
