Explore Magic: the Gathering Formats
Discover the diverse ways to play Magic, each with its own unique rules and deck-building constraints.
9 formats across 387 decks
Commander 328 decks
The most popular way to play Magic in paper. Commander is a multiplayer format where each player builds a 100-card singleton deck led by a legendary creature — their commander.
Draft 0 decks
Build your deck on the spot from booster packs. Draft tests your ability to evaluate cards, read signals, and build a cohesive deck under constraints.
Legacy 3 decks
A format built on Magic's full history. Legacy allows nearly every card ever printed, creating some of the most powerful and skill-intensive gameplay in the game.
Modern 56 decks
The premier competitive constructed format for paper Magic. Modern draws from over two decades of cards, creating a deep and powerful metagame.
Pauper 0 decks
Magic at its most accessible — only common-rarity cards are allowed. Don't let the humble card pool fool you; Pauper's metagame is surprisingly deep and competitive.
Pioneer 0 decks
A non-rotating format using cards from 2012 onward. Pioneer offers a middle ground between Standard's accessibility and Modern's depth.
Sealed 0 decks
Open six booster packs and build the best deck you can from what you get. Sealed is the format of prereleases, major events, and making the most of what you're dealt.
Standard 0 decks
Magic's flagship rotating format. Standard uses only cards from the most recent sets, keeping the metagame fresh and accessible for new and returning players.
Vintage 0 decks
The most powerful format in Magic. Vintage allows nearly every card ever printed — including the infamous Power Nine — with only a handful of cards banned outright.