Magic the Gathering Formats
In the beginning there was just Magic...
Yet after 25 years, the game has evolved to become the most complex game humanity has ever devised.
Put simply, there are many ways to play Magic.
Here we will highlight some of the different formats and what we offer at Metal Galaxy. First...
...SOME THINGS TO KNOW
Constructed: Bring your own cards. Your Deck must be built and ready beforehand.
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Limited: These cards are included with the event or purchased at the event. Basic Lands are always provided at Metal Galaxy. Not necessary to bring your own cards.
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Highlander/ Singleton: These decks require you to only have 1 copy of each card (except Basic Lands). All other formats allow up to 4 of each card.
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Banned: Certain cards may not be allowed in any given format. Refer to our Banned List links under each format for more details.
Sideboard: These are a seperate deck of up to 15 cards that can be swapped into your deck in matches that are Best of 3 Rounds or more.
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Two-Player Formats (1v1)
The following formats are designed for two players, one versus one.
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STANDARD
If you want to play Competitive Magic, this is where it begins - with the newest sets. Standard is a rotating format, meaning the cards you are allowed to play with change as new sets are released. This keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting, and allows your creative deck building skills a chance to flourish.
Format: Constructed
Deck Size: Minimum 60 Cards
Sideboard Allowed: Yes, Up to 15 Cards.
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PIONEER
Announced in October of 2019, Pioneer is the middle ground between Modern and Standard. Pioneer is a non-rotating format, beginning with the Return to Ravnica set and having the 'Fetch' lands as the only banned cards.
A format that is truly untapped, it is all potential at this stage.
Format: Constructed
Deck Size: Minimum 60 Cards
Sideboard Allowed: Yes, Up to 15 Cards.
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MODERN
Modern is one of Magic's most popular formats, including more than 15 years of cards and strategies in an ever-evolving metagame.
Format Type: Constructed
Deck Size: Minimum 60 Cards
Sideboard Allowed: Yes
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BOOSTER DRAFT
Draft is a format where players each begin with 3 booster packs, open a pack, choose 1 card face-down and pass the remaining cards to the next player. Once all the cards have been chosen, the players add basic land and build a deck.
Format Type: Limited
Deck Size: Minimum 40 Cards
Sideboard Allowed: All Cards Drafted may be used as a Sideboard.
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CANADIAN HIGHLANDER
Borne out of Victoria, British Columbia at the turn of the century, Canadian Highlander falls somewhere between Commander and Vintage. A singleton, 100 card format played one-on-one with 20 life - the kicker - (essentially) no Banned List. Instead, the most powerful cards are assigned a point value, and a deck cannot contain more than 10 points.
Format: Constructed
Deck Size: 100 Cards
Sideboard Allowed: No
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SEALED DECK
With each new set released, a tournament is held the week prior to the new set releasing. At a Pre-Release Event each player receives 6 Draft Boosters, opens these cards and builds a deck. An extremely fun format for with the most even playing field on which to battle - Sealed is the perfect format for new players.
Format: Limited
Deck Size: Minimum 40
Sideboard Allowed: All Cards in your Seal Pool may be used as a Sideboard.
When: Metal Galaxy runs the most casual and fun pre-release events in town! Check our Facebook page for details.
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LEGACY & VINTAGE
This is where it all began. The original, most powerful Magic cards. The iconic Black Lotus and Power Nine. Legacy and Vintage players may use cards from virtually every Magic set (Sorry Un-Sets) with very few restrictions. Experienced players only need apply.
Format: Constructed
Deck Size: Minimum 60 Cards
Sideboard Allowed: Yes, Up to 15 Cards
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Multiplayer Formats (3+)
The following formats are designed for three or more players.
COMMANDER
Often referred to as EDH (Elder Dragon Highlander), Commander has become the favourite Magic Format for many players old and new. Commander is played with a 100 card Highlander deck and a Legendary Creature that acts as the Commander of your armies. Commander can be played 1v1 or as a Multiplayer Format. Commander allows players to build decks from all 25 plus years of cards.
Format Type: Constructed, Colour Restricted
Deck Size: 99 Cards plus your Commander
Sideboard Allowed: No
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OATHBREAKER
Built upon Commander, Oathbreaker is designed for faster gameplay in the Multiplayer setting. While the same colour restrictions as Commander apply, instead of a Legendary Creature as your Commander, you play with a Planeswalker, referred to as your Oathbreaker and an Instant or Sorcery as your Signature Spell.
Format Type: Constructed, Colour Restricted
Deck Size: 58 Cards plus your Oathbreaker and Signature Spell
Sideboard Allowed: No
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