MTG Formats — The Complete Guide for Players

One of the first things that confuses new MTG players is the sheer variety of formats. There is no single way to play Magic — there are fifteen-plus official formats, each with different rules, card pools, and communities. This guide breaks them all down and helps you find the one that fits you best.

Constructed Formats — You Bring Your Own Deck

In Constructed formats you build your deck before the game and bring it with you.

Standard

What it is: The most ‘official’ competitive format. You can only use cards from the last 2-3 years (the most recent 3-5 Wizards sets). Each year a ‘rotation’ happens — older sets rotate out of Standard.

Deck size: 60 cards minimum + 15 sideboard | Players: 2 (1v1) | Life points: 20 each

Why play Standard: No need to buy old expensive cards. Always fresh meta — the game changes with every new set. Official tournaments, Pro Tour, Grand Prix.

Why NOT: Rotation means cards you buy today may leave Standard in 1-2 years. Expensive to keep up with the meta.

Cost for a competitive Standard deck: €150-400 (depending on meta)

In Greece: Played mainly at organised play events at hobby shops. Less casual than Commander.

Pioneer

What it is: An expansion of the Standard card pool — you can use cards from 2012 to today (from the Return to Ravnica set onward). No rotation.

Deck size: 60 cards + 15 sideboard | Players: 2 (1v1)

Why play Pioneer: Massive card pool — many deck-building options. No rotation — your deck does not expire. Less expensive than Modern. Growing scene in Europe and Greece.

Why NOT: Less support from Wizards compared to Standard. Smaller community than Commander or Standard in Greece.

Cost for a competitive Pioneer deck: €100-350

Modern

What it is: Card pool starts from 2003 (8th Edition) with no rotation. One of the most popular competitive formats worldwide.

Deck size: 60 cards + 15 sideboard | Players: 2 (1v1)

Why play Modern: Large card pool with many viable archetypes. Established competitive scene in Europe. Cards you buy remain relevant for years.

Why NOT: Expensive. A top Modern deck can cost €800-2,000+. Requires knowledge of older sets and mechanics.

Cost for a competitive Modern deck: €400-2,000+

In Greece: Played by more experienced players. No large local scene but available online via MTG Arena Digital.

Legacy

What it is: Almost every card in MTG history is legal — from 1993 to today. Exception: cards on the Banned list.

Deck size: 60 cards + 15 sideboard | Players: 2 (1v1)

Why play Legacy: Enormous variety of strategies. The ‘pure’ Magic experience — the most powerful cards ever printed.

Why NOT: Extremely expensive. Reserved List cards (e.g. Dual Lands) cost hundreds of euros each. Almost no local scene in Greece.

Cost for a competitive Legacy deck: €2,000-10,000+

Premodern

What it is: A community-created format started in 2012 by Martin Berlin. Uses cards from Fourth Edition through Scourge (1995-2003) — all cards with the classic old card frame of that era. Bridges the gap between Old School 93/94 and Modern.

Deck size: 60 cards minimum + 15 sideboard | Players: 2 (1v1) | Card pool: ~5,400 unique cards (Portal sets and promos excluded)

Why play Premodern: Play with iconic cards from the golden age of MTG without needing the Power Nine or original Dual Lands — the most expensive cards are not legal. No rotation — the format is eternal, the card pool never changes. You can play with gold-border reprints (World Championship Decks) at many events, making it more accessible. Archetypes and staples remain stable — build a deck and keep it forever. Nostalgic gameplay that echoes how Magic was played in the 2000s.

Why NOT: Community format — no official Wizards support or Pro Tour. Small scene in Greece (exists but is niche). Some cards remain expensive due to the Reserved List.

Cost for a Premodern deck: €100-600 (depending on archetype — much cheaper than Legacy)

Classic Premodern archetypes: Sligh, Suicide Black, Stasis, Oath of Druids, Survival Madness, Goblins, Enchantress — decks long-time players will recognise immediately.

Why Premodern makes sense for players from the Mirage era: If you started MTG in the late 90s or early 2000s, Premodern is essentially the format you carry in your memory. The cards you remember, the mechanics you learned — without the bloat of modern sets and without the prohibitive costs of Legacy.

In Greece: Small but real community, mainly through Facebook groups and online play. If you find other players, it is very worthwhile.

Vintage

What it is: The most open format — all cards legal, with some restricted (maximum 1 copy instead of 4). Includes the Power Nine (Black Lotus, Moxes, etc.).

Why NOT for most players: A competitive Vintage deck can be worth €20,000-50,000+. Played mainly with proxy cards in casual settings.

Commander (EDH)

What it is: The most popular format in Greece and worldwide for casual play. 100 cards (singleton), 4 players, 40 life points, built around one legendary Commander.

Deck size: Exactly 100 cards (1 copy of each card, except Basic Lands) | Players: Usually 4 (multiplayer) | Life points: 40

Why play Commander: The most fun and social format. Enormous variety — hundreds of viable Commanders. You do not need expensive cards to have a great time. You can start with a €50-60 Precon Deck.

Why NOT: Games take a long time (1-3 hours). No official competitive scene (it is casual by nature).

Cost: €50 (Precon) to €500+ (optimised custom build)

cEDH (Competitive Commander)

What it is: Commander at maximum power — players building the strongest possible Commander decks using the best cards in the format.

Cost: €500-2,000+ per deck

In Greece: Very small community — mainly online. If cEDH interests you, start at the r/CompetitiveEDH subreddit and community Discord.

Limited Formats — You Build Your Deck On the Spot

In Limited formats you do not bring your own deck — you build one from cards you open on the day.

Draft (Booster Draft)

What it is: Each player opens a pack, keeps one card, and passes the rest to the left. Repeated for 3 packs. Then you build a 40-card deck from what you picked.

Players: Usually 8 | Cost: 3 Play Booster Packs (~€15-18) + entry fee at organised events

Why Draft: Excellent way to learn a new set. Everyone starts equal — the richest player does not automatically win. Very fun with a group.

In Greece: Prereleases (run by hobby shops) are based on Limited play. If you find a group, you can run casual drafts at home with 2-3 Play Booster Boxes.

Sealed Deck

What it is: Each player opens 6 packs and builds a 40-card deck from those cards only.

Cost: 6 Play Booster Packs (~€30-35) + entry fee

Why Sealed: Less complex than Draft (no need to read what others are picking). The format of prereleases.

Format Comparison — Quick Reference Table

Which Format Should You Choose?

If you are a new player: Start with a Commander Precon or Draft with friends. Both are fun, accessible, and do not require knowledge of older cards.

If you want competitive play: Standard is the most accessible entry point. Pioneer if you want more options.

If you play with a group of friends: Commander — plain and simple. This is what 80%+ of the Greek community plays.

If you are interested in MTG history: Legacy or Vintage — but prepare your budget.

If you started MTG in the 90s/2000s: Premodern — play with the cards you love in a stable, eternal format without the Power Nine barrier.

Sealed Product You Need for Each Format