What are formats?
A format in Magic: the Gathering defines what cards are legal for play! This makes sure everyone is playing by the same rules, and that the decks are somewhat fairly matched up.
What is Standard?
Standard is the most popular format, with a frequently-changing pool of cards! Your deck must be at least 60 cards, with no more than 4 of each card besides basic lands.
Currently legal sets for standard are limited to:
If you’re not sure, assume it IS NOT in these sets when building a deck. You can look up information about each card, including its format legality and most recent printing, at gatherer.wizards.com.
Rocket's Hideout plays Standard on Tuesday and Friday nights every week, and many of our major events use the Standard format.
What is Modern?
If you don’t like the idea of a rotating format, but still want to play tournaments, Modern may be the format for you! All sets released since the adoption of the "Modern" card frame in July 2003 with Eighth Edition will always be legal for play. A full list of sets that are legal for Modern play, as well as the banned list, are available on Wizards of the Coast's website.
If you’re not sure, assume it IS NOT in these sets when building a deck. You can look up information about each card, including its format legality and most recent printing, at gatherer.wizards.com.
Rocket's Hideout plays Modern on Thursday night every week, and some of our major events use the Modern format.
What is Commander?
If tournaments aren't necessarily your thing and you enjoy a more casual game with cards from all of Magic's history, then the Commander format may be right for you!
In Commander, your deck consists of exactly 100 cards, including a Legendary Creature who begins in the Command Zone, and defines the Color Identity of your deck. The format is Singleton, which means you can only have one of each card (except for basic lands). Commander is most commonly played as a casual Multiplayer (3-5 player) game, with a starting total of 40 life. Almost every card from any set in Magic are legal, minus a short banned list. Additionally, Rocket's Hideout Commander events including the Monday Night Commander league are run with an additional banlist designed to promote creativity and social play. For a complete list of banned cards, please view our Commander page.
Rocket's Hideout plays Commander on Monday and Thursday nights every week, and many regulars carry their decks on them at all times to play games!
A format in Magic: the Gathering defines what cards are legal for play! This makes sure everyone is playing by the same rules, and that the decks are somewhat fairly matched up.
What is Standard?
Standard is the most popular format, with a frequently-changing pool of cards! Your deck must be at least 60 cards, with no more than 4 of each card besides basic lands.
Currently legal sets for standard are limited to:
- Battle for Zendikar
- Oath of the Gatewatch
- Shadows Over Innistrad
- Eldritch Moon
- Kaladesh
If you’re not sure, assume it IS NOT in these sets when building a deck. You can look up information about each card, including its format legality and most recent printing, at gatherer.wizards.com.
Rocket's Hideout plays Standard on Tuesday and Friday nights every week, and many of our major events use the Standard format.
What is Modern?
If you don’t like the idea of a rotating format, but still want to play tournaments, Modern may be the format for you! All sets released since the adoption of the "Modern" card frame in July 2003 with Eighth Edition will always be legal for play. A full list of sets that are legal for Modern play, as well as the banned list, are available on Wizards of the Coast's website.
If you’re not sure, assume it IS NOT in these sets when building a deck. You can look up information about each card, including its format legality and most recent printing, at gatherer.wizards.com.
Rocket's Hideout plays Modern on Thursday night every week, and some of our major events use the Modern format.
What is Commander?
If tournaments aren't necessarily your thing and you enjoy a more casual game with cards from all of Magic's history, then the Commander format may be right for you!
In Commander, your deck consists of exactly 100 cards, including a Legendary Creature who begins in the Command Zone, and defines the Color Identity of your deck. The format is Singleton, which means you can only have one of each card (except for basic lands). Commander is most commonly played as a casual Multiplayer (3-5 player) game, with a starting total of 40 life. Almost every card from any set in Magic are legal, minus a short banned list. Additionally, Rocket's Hideout Commander events including the Monday Night Commander league are run with an additional banlist designed to promote creativity and social play. For a complete list of banned cards, please view our Commander page.
Rocket's Hideout plays Commander on Monday and Thursday nights every week, and many regulars carry their decks on them at all times to play games!
