If you want to find the perfect match for your playstyle, there are basically two main MTG Arena formats to choose from: Constructed and Limited. You simply choose your path: build a deck from your own collection or open new packs to make one on the spot.
Many Magic: The Gathering Arena players are also active in other digital card game communities, often mixing things up with titles like Pokémon TCG Pocket, Shadowverse: Worlds Beyond, or Clash Royale. If you enjoy these digital card games, platforms like BuffBuff let you easily grab in-game currency and items for these specific titles. It’s a great way to earn rewards across a wide range of popular games while you enjoy the different MTG Arena formats.
Constructed Formats
Constructed formats just ask you to bring a pre-built deck that follows the specific rules for that particular MTG Arena format, like the popular Standard mode. If you don’t want to build one yourself, the Preconstructed option lets you simply pick a ready-made deck and start playing right away.
Alchemy
Alchemy is a digital-only mode that uses rebalanced cards and fun mechanics that simply can’t exist in the physical paper game. It rotates every two years, which keeps things moving much faster compared to other Magic: The Gathering Arena formats.
This mode looks a lot like Standard, but the developers actively change card text to keep the competition fair and balanced. If you like a game meta that shifts often and fixes overpowered decks quickly, this is definitely the right MTG Arena format for you.
Brawl
Brawl is a fun mode where you build a deck around one specific Legendary Creature or Planeswalker, who acts as your Commander. This casual style stands out among Magic: The Gathering Arena formats because you can only use one copy of any card in your deck. This is the digital equivalent of the ever-popular paper format Commander.
Historic
Historic is an “eternal” mode that lets you play with almost every single card in the game, with very few bans. It mixes cards from Magic’s deep past with new digital releases, making it one of the most powerful MTG Arena formats.
Since cards never rotate out of Historic, your deck stays legal forever unless something gets banned. This stability is great for players who want to master one specific deck within the huge ecosystem of Magic the Gathering Arena formats.
Standard
Standard is the most-played mode and uses cards released in the last 3 years. It acts as the main baseline for competitive play and is easily the most recognized of all MTG Arena formats. You will notice the strategy changes slowly over time as new sets come out and the oldest ones leave the rotation.
You need a minimum of 60 cards in your deck and up to 15 in your sideboard for best-of-three matches. You can count on Standard to give you a balanced game that feels just like the physical card game. It is usually the first MTG Arena format a new player jumps into after finishing the tutorial.
Limited Formats
Limited formats make building your deck part of the actual game, creating a 40-card deck from fresh packs, unlike in Constructed MTG Arena formats. You start on totally equal ground with everyone else, which really tests your skill at judging cards and finding combos on the spot. This focus on pure strategy rather than who has the best collection makes it a favorite MTG Arena format for veteran players.
Draft
Draft is a strategic mode where you sit in a virtual circle with seven others and pass packs around. You pick one card to keep and pass the rest to your neighbor until all the cards are gone. This picking process is unique among MTG Arena formats and asks you to pay attention to which colors are being passed to you.
You can play Premier Draft against humans or Quick Draft against bots if you want to take your time. You keep every card you pick, so Draft is a fantastic way to grow your collection while you play. It is widely considered the most skill-heavy MTG Arena format because picking the right cards is tough.
Sealed
Sealed Deck hands you six unopened packs and asks you to build a 40-card deck right then and there. This is super popular when new sets launch because you can play with new cards immediately without collecting them first. It is one of the most friendly Magic the Gathering Arena formats for learning new mechanics.
You don’t have to compete with others for cards; you just work with the pool the game gives you. This puts the spotlight on your deck-building skills and finding the best colors in your specific packs. It offers a slightly chillier vibe than the intense timing of other MTG Arena formats.
Final Thoughts
With so many distinct ways to play, there’s definitely a style here that fits your personal vibe perfectly. You should take your time exploring the different MTG Arena formats to find the one that really clicks with you.
Building a strong collection and mastering your deck is a journey that pays off in the long run. Just keep practicing and experimenting with new strategies to stay ahead of the competition. It won’t be long before you become a pro at navigating these Magic: The Gathering Arena formats.