MTG Variants: A Catalog of MTG Formats

I have created this page on my blog as a repository of various variants and formats for playing my favorite game, Magic: the Gathering.  I've spent a lot of time searching the internet for different play variants and formats for the game and come across many different websites and format archives.  Some are better than others but most suffer from one main issue - many of the variants are not very good or only half thought out.  This makes it very difficult and time consuming if you are looking for an interesting and fun variant to try out.  Thus, I am I creating this page with the aim of only posting variants and formats that have complete, up-to-date rules, and that are well balances and fun to play.  I've done the research and the work so you can jump right in and play knowing it will be worth your time.

I've categories the the various formats and variants into three large categories: official WotC formats, Constructed formats, and Limited formats. I will continue to update this page as I find more fun and exciting formats and variants to post so check back often. 

Official Wizards of the Coast Formats

Constructed

In constructed formats players make decks from their own collection following various rules.

Block - Each block of expansions has its own constructed format which only allows cards released in the block's expansions.  Decks are constructed using only these cards, must contain at least sixty cards, and may have a sideboard of up to fifteen additional cards.

Standard - By far the most played constructed format.  You're allowed a deck of at least sixty cards and a sideboard of up to fifteen cards.  Cards from only the most recent two blocks and core set are allowed.

Modern - Cards from Core Set Eighth Edition and Mirrodin through today are legal in this format.  Like other constructed formats decks must contain at least sixty cards and may have a sideboard of up to fifteen additional cards.

Commander - Each player chooses a legendary creature to be their "commander" and makes a 99-card deck based on that creature.

Eternal

Eternal formats are unique in that they contain every black-bordered card set Wizards has ever printed, each new card set is added to these formats.

Legacy - Allows cards from all legal sets, but bans certain cards for power level reasons.

Vintage - The most powerful of constructed formats, this format allows the “Power Nine” to be played.

Limited

In limited players make decks from a pool of cards limited to cards obtained by opening sealed booster packs or repacks.

Booster Draft - Players open booster packs and take turns picking cards from boosters to then build into 40-card decks.

Sealed Deck -  Each player opens six booster packs and competes with a 40-card deck made from those cards.

Team Play

Team formats let you and one or two friends work together to achieve victory.

Team Unified Constructed - Build three 60-card decks with a four-of limit across all three decks in this fun and challenging format.

Team Booster Draft - Draft your 40-card deck with an eye not just the strength of your own deck, but also your teammates’ and opponents’ decks.

Team Sealed Deck - Team Sealed combines the fun of Sealed Deck with two of your friends, letting you build powerful 40-card decks to be used in an exciting team format!

Two-Headed Giant -  Two players share turns and life totals, while fighting another pair of players.

Magic Online Specific Formats

Formats that are only official on MTGO.

Freeform - All sets and cards are allowed in this 40-card minimum format.

Kaleidoscope - Every non-land in your deck must be a multicolor card.

Momir Basic - Decks must have exactly 60 basic lands and one “Momir Vig” Vanguard card.

Pauper - Restricts decks to only cards with the common rarity.

Planeswalker - Limited to gold-bordered cards, available in Magic Online Planeswalker deck packs.

Prismatic - Build very large decks (at least 250 cards) with a minimum number of cards of each color.

100-Card Singleton - Each deck is limited to 100 cards and only one copy of any card (except basic lands).

Standard Singleton - Each deck may not contain more than one of any individual card.

Tribal Wars Legacy - Each deck must contain at least 60 cards, and one third must be of a single creature type.

Unofficial Formats and Variants

Contructed

 Coming soon.

Limited 

In limited players make decks from a pool of cards limited to cards obtained by opening sealed booster packs or repacks.

Auction Draft - Similar to a booster draft however players take turns bidding on cards rather than simply picking them.

Back Draft - Similar to a booster draft however the goal is to draft the worst cards possible.  Your opponents then have to make a deck out of the cards you draft!

Cube Draft/Sealed - Cube is a popular format wherein players draft from a curated set of cards, often including some of the most power cards in Magic's long history.

Double Draft - A draft where players create two decks and battle them in best of 5-game matches.

Duplicate Sealed - Everyone gets the same exact pool to build their sealed deck from.

Grid Draft (Cube Drafting for 2-3 Players) - A great way to draft with only 2-3 players.  Best when combined with Cube Draft.

Mini Master - A single elimination tournament where the winner gets to keep the losers cards and incorporate them into their deck for the next round.