Vintage is Magic with the gloves off. It's the only format where cards like Black Lotus, the Moxen, and Ancestral Recall are legal (though restricted to one copy per deck). This means Vintage games can feature some of the most explosive and powerful plays in all of Magic, often involving intricate combos and razor-thin decision points in the first few turns. The format's barrier to entry is steep — many staples are on the Reserved List and carry enormous price tags — but proxy-friendly events and Magic Online keep the format alive for its devoted community. Vintage rewards deep format knowledge and precise play, and for players who want to experience Magic's full power level, nothing else compares.
Official Rules Document

Format Averages

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