However, MTG is the only game I’ve seen with formats like Draft, Sealed, and Commander that truly give players a different way to play the game. It uses the Standard card pool but also uses new digital cards and rebalanced versions of other cards to create a unique, ever-changing experience for MTGA players. Explorer is a non-rotating format that can be described as an MTGA version of Pioneer. The digital format has more-or-less the same card pool but there are a few key differences.
On the other hand, Standard is a competitive format where you can only use cards from the most recent sets. When all packs/cards have been drafted, each player will build a 40-card deck from the cards they drafted and then play 1v1 games. What makes drafting an interesting experience is that not only do you have a limited card pool but you choose it one card at a time. So, it requires you to constantly be adapting and thinking on the fly in terms of deck-building.
In each of these, you’ll build a deck before it’s time to start playing, using any cards legal in the given format. Even though lots of people enjoy Commander and Standard, some players have their complaints. Some folks think Commander games can be quick because many players are involved.
Can any legendary card be a commander?
Lastly, you get to take all your cards (minus the basic lands) home with you after playing. This makes it a great way to build up an MTG collection for newer players. EDH is sometimes played 1v1 instead of in a multiplayer setting. When the format is played like this, the core rules stay the same.
The game starts as other Magic formats with players shuffling their decks, cutting the decks of their opponents, and drawing an initial hand of seven cards. Given that Commander is traditionally a multiplayer format, all players draw a card during their first turn. A Commander deck must contain exactly 100 cards, including the commander. If you’re playing a companion, it must adhere to color identity and singleton rules.
While it is not part of the deck, it is effectively a 101st card. With the exception of basic lands, no two cards in the deck may have the same English name. Grasping the mulligan rules and the starting life total is crucial.
Hopefully, this helps to make the concept of formats, in general, a little clearer. Battle your friends with powerful Commander decks, ready to play right out of the box. Each deck contains 2 foil Legendary Creature cards and everything you need to play Magic’s most popular multiplayer format. Because both commanders start the game in the command zone, the remaining library is only 98 cards. Your two commanders are treated individually for all other Commander rules. Each player is given 20 minutes per match and each match is best of 1 game.
Beginner Tips for Commander Gameplay and Strategy
If a player is dealt 21 damage by another player’s Commander, they lose the game. This is known as “Commander Damage” and it is tracked across all zone changes. For example, if one player takes control of another player’s commander, any damage that Commander has already dealt will remain in place. A player that’s been dealt 21 or more combat damage by the same commander over the course of the game loses the game. Don’t underestimate colorless cards for their adaptability.
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Every card in your Commander deck must only use mana symbols that also appear on your commander. Two-Headed Giant can be played in any of the formats mentioned above. So, you’ll adhere to the rules for meta mtg whichever format you’re playing as a team. To elaborate, if you’re playing Standard, use only Standard-legal cards. If you’re playing Commander, all Commander rules mentioned above apply.
Advantages of Standard Format
The only thing that changes is that players will start the game with 30 life, instead of 40. All deck-building restrictions Commander rules and color identity still apply. Commander, also called Elder Dragon Highlander (EDH), is a casual and multiplayer version of MTG. In Commander, you make a deck with 100 cards, and you choose one legendary creature as your “Commander.” This Commander picks the colours and theme for your deck.
This knowledge guides your Commander selections, deck color identity, and spell choices. Remember, combos in commander format aren’t always about infinite loops (though there’s plenty of those too); often, it’s about tactical intelligence and synergy. Magic Arena is an app where players can play Standard and a few other formats, online. If you’ve made it this far in the article, they will look pretty familiar to you. Once you cast them from the Command Zone, it’s just like you cast them from your hand. This means they can be countered when being cast from the Command Zone and can attack, block, and be removed just like any other card.