Format rules

General deckbuilding rules for the formats supported by the deck legality checker. Card pools, banned lists and detailed rules change over time — check each format's official page for the authoritative, up-to-date information.

Official page

Commander / EDH

  • 100-card singleton deck: only one copy of each card, except basic lands.
  • Built around a legendary creature (or other eligible card) chosen as your commander.
  • Every card's color identity must fit within your commander's color identity.
  • Casual multiplayer format (usually 3–5 players); each player starts at 40 life.
  • 21 combat damage from a single commander eliminates a player.
Official page

Standard

  • 60-card minimum main deck, with an optional sideboard of up to 15 cards.
  • Up to 4 copies of any single card, except basic lands.
  • Rotating format: only the most recent sets are legal.
  • One of the main competitive constructed formats.
Official page

Pioneer

  • 60-card minimum main deck, with an optional sideboard of up to 15 cards.
  • Up to 4 copies of any single card, except basic lands.
  • Non-rotating format drawing from the modern era of sets onward.
  • Maintains its own banned list.
Official page

Modern

  • 60-card minimum main deck, with an optional sideboard of up to 15 cards.
  • Up to 4 copies of any single card, except basic lands.
  • Non-rotating format with a large, ever-growing card pool.
  • Maintains its own banned list.
Official page

Legacy

  • 60-card minimum main deck, with an optional sideboard of up to 15 cards.
  • Up to 4 copies of any single card, except basic lands.
  • Eternal format: almost every card ever printed is allowed.
  • Uses a banned list to keep the format healthy.
Official page

Vintage

  • 60-card minimum main deck, with an optional sideboard of up to 15 cards.
  • Up to 4 copies of any single card, except basic lands.
  • The most powerful eternal format: nearly all cards are legal.
  • Uses a restricted list (max 1 copy of a restricted card) plus a small banned list.
Official page

Pauper

  • 60-card minimum main deck, with an optional sideboard of up to 15 cards.
  • Up to 4 copies of any single card, except basic lands.
  • Only cards available at common rarity may be played.
  • A card is legal as long as at least one of its printings is a common.
Official page

Pauper Commander / PDH

  • 100-card singleton deck following the Commander construction rules.
  • Your commander must be an uncommon creature.
  • Every other card must be available at common rarity.
  • Card color identity must fit your commander; each player starts at 30 life.