Formats define which cards are legal and how decks are built. The most common: Standard (only the most recent sets — a rotating, beginner-accessible format), Commander/EDH (a hugely popular casual, multiplayer format built around a legendary "commander," with 100-card singleton decks), Modern and Pioneer (larger non-rotating card pools for deeper deckbuilding), and Limited (draft/sealed, where you build from packs opened at an event). Each has its own vibe, cost, and community. Commander is the go-to for casual social play, while Standard and Modern lean competitive. Your local shop likely runs events for several formats — ask which nights fit what you want to play.
Updated Jul 13, 2026