Magic: The Gathering is a game that has been around for over 25 years and has grown to become one of the most popular collectible card games in the world. It has an enormous variety of cards, strategies, and gameplay modes, which can be overwhelming for new players. One of the keys to enjoying Magic: The Gathering is finding the right format that suits your playstyle and preferences. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at the most popular MTG formats and compare and contrast their unique features.
Standard
Standard is the most widely played Magic: The Gathering format, and it is the go-to format for many new players. It’s a rotating format that features the most recent sets of cards. This means that the cards that are legal to play in Standard are constantly changing, and the format is always fresh and exciting. The current Standard rotation consists of the latest two years’ worth of sets.
One of the benefits of playing Standard is that it only requires players to learn a subset of the game’s cards, which makes it a great format for beginners. However, the downside is that it can be expensive to keep up with the latest sets, as they can be pricey, and the cards will eventually rotate out of the format.
Modern
Modern is a non-rotating format that includes all sets from Eighth Edition onward. This means that the cards that are legal to play in Modern do not rotate out of the format, which makes it a great option for players who want to invest in a long-term deck. Additionally, many of the cards in Modern are iconic cards from Magic’s history, which can make it a nostalgic and enjoyable format for many players.
One of the unique features of Modern is that it has a large card pool, which means that there are many different decks and strategies available to players. However, this also means that Modern can be a costly format to play, as many of the best cards are expensive.
Legacy
Legacy is another non-rotating format that includes all of the cards printed in the game’s history. This means that players can use some of the most powerful and iconic cards ever printed in the game. Legacy is known for its complex and powerful gameplay, with many different archetypes and strategies available to players.
One of the downsides of Legacy is that it can be a very expensive format to play. Many of the cards that are legal in the format are rare and highly sought-after, which can drive up their price. Additionally, the format has a small player base, which can make it difficult to find matches.
Vintage
Vintage is a non-rotating format that includes all of the cards printed in the game’s history, similar to Legacy. However, Vintage has a different ban list and a different set of restricted cards. Restricted cards are limited to one copy per deck, which means that players can only play with a limited number of the most powerful cards.
Vintage is known for its fast-paced and explosive gameplay, with many games being decided in the first few turns. It’s also known for its incredibly powerful and expensive cards, with some cards costing tens of thousands of dollars. This means that Vintage is not a format that is accessible to all players, as it can be prohibitively expensive.
Commander
Commander is a unique format that features multiplayer gameplay and the use of a 100-card singleton deck. In this format, players choose a legendary creature to serve as their commander, and build their deck around that creature. Commander is known for its casual and social atmosphere, and it’s the most popular format in the game.
One of the unique features of Commander is the “Commander tax.” This rule states that each time a player casts their commander from the command zone, they must pay an additional two colorless mana for each time they have previously cast it from the command zone. This rule encourages players to build around their commander and create more dynamic and engaging gameplay experiences.
Additionally, Commander has a unique ban list that is separate from other formats. The ban list is designed to promote a fun and interactive gameplay experience, and it includes cards that are considered too powerful or disruptive for the format.
One of the benefits of Commander is that it’s a social and multiplayer format. It’s an excellent format for players who enjoy playing with friends and want to experience a more relaxed and fun atmosphere. Additionally, the format allows for a great deal of creativity and personalization in deck building.
Comparing and Contrasting the Formats
Standard, Modern, Legacy, Vintage, and Commander are all popular MTG formats, but they each have their unique features that make them appealing to different types of players.
Standard is a great format for new players who want to learn the basics of the game and stay up-to-date with the latest cards. It’s also a good format for players who don’t want to spend a lot of money on cards, as they only need to keep up with the latest sets.
Modern is a format that appeals to players who want to invest in a long-term deck and play with some of the most iconic cards in the game’s history. It’s also a good format for players who enjoy a diverse and varied metagame, as there are many different decks and strategies available.
Legacy and Vintage are both non-rotating formats that allow players to use some of the most powerful cards in the game. However, they are also the most expensive formats to play, as many of the best cards are rare and highly sought-after.
Commander is a casual and social format that emphasizes creativity and personalization in deck building. It’s an excellent format for players who want to play with friends and have a fun and relaxed experience.
Conclusion
Magic: The Gathering has a wide variety of formats to suit every player’s preferences and playstyle. Whether you’re a new player looking to learn the basics of the game or an experienced player looking for a challenging and competitive format, there’s a format for you.
In this article, we’ve explored the most popular Magic: The Gathering formats, including Standard, Modern, Legacy, Vintage, and Commander. Each format has its unique features and benefits, and it’s up to you to decide which one suits you best.
We hope this guide has been helpful in providing you with an overview of the different MTG formats. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the game, no matter which format you choose to play.
