However, you won't see any tournaments in this format on the competitive level. Because of the multiplayer nature of the game, it is the most interactive and arguably the most fun out of all the formats. While not going into detail about the rules, Commander games, often played with 3 or more people, tend to be very explosive and unpredictable. What makes it unique compared to others is that you construct 100 card decks (instead of the usual 60) and you can only have one copy of each card. While new sets can shake up the format slightly, this one tends to be more stagnant than Standard, with the best decks staying at the top for long periods of time.Ĭommander: This is the most popular casual format. This format tends to be the fastest and one the most expensive, because it uses some of the best cards in Magic history. Unlike Standard, Modern doesn't rotate, so any cards from the allowed sets can be used, in addition to the newest sets. Modern: Another competitive format that uses cards from the Eighth Edition set and forward. However, this also means that eventually you will have to change up or build completely new decks, meaning that you have to spend more money if you want to continuously play in this format. Standard tends to be the most dynamic and unpredictable format, because rotations tend to completely change the way it is played. This means that every year, the older sets will not be allowed in the format while the newest set(s) will be. After a recent change in the format, Wizards of the Coast (the company in charge of the game), decided to make sets rotate every year. Standard: This competitive format plays cards from the most recent sets. Decide which one best fits you and your needs. I will list some of the most popular formats that people play in.
What type of player are you? Are you a more casual player looking for some fun in your downtime? Do you want to climb the ranks of the competitive community and be the top local, national, or even international player? What you want out of Magic will determine the format best for you. If you don't have cards then you will need money, or a generous friend, to get cardsĪnywhere from 15 minutes to a few days, depending on your skill level and dedication to the deck-building process.
Wherever you are in your quest for glory, I guarantee that this guide will help you become a better deck-builder.Ģ. Or possibly you are somewhat more experienced with the game, but want some more help with building good decks. Maybe you haven't and you want to build a simple deck to take to your local game shop to gain more experience playing the game. You probably have played a bit with friends or family and are looking to test your deck-building abilities. So, you have learned about Magic: The Gathering. It's great and goes over the essential rules that you need to know to play the game. I am under the impression that you know a little about the basic rules of the game.