Some of the most complex and intricate formats available in MTG weren’t made by the designs from Wizards of the Coast, but by the fans playing the card game instead. Commander started as a game designed by fans, and it’s now the most popular way to play Magic. Forgetful Fish is another MTG format designed by a fan, and it is an incredibly complex experience.
If tempo wars involving evasive creatures and counterspell stacks multiple cards deep are your flavor of Magic, you’ll love Forgetful Fish. Everything from deck organization, decking opponents out, and wiping a legion of blue creatures with a blue instant are on the table in this format.
In an incredibly unexpected twist, Wizards of the Coast is putting on a competitive sanctioned event for Forgetful Fish. If you are one of the many enjoyers of this amazing niche format, there is an opportunity to win some incredible prizes.
What is MTG Forgetful Fish?
Compared to MTG juggernauts like Standard and Commander, Forgetful Fish is an incredibly niche way to play MTG. As a result, many MTG players may not even be aware of what this format is, and there are some incredibly unique selling points.
Forgetful Fish plays similarly to 1v1 Magic in a lot of ways. Players have 20 life, and mulligan rules are all the same. Things get tricky, however, as soon as you start talking about the decks.
The deck in Forgetful Fish is pre-prepared. There’s no deck preparation for this event outside of learning how to play the format. Also, each game only has one deck, not two. Players share a massive deck of cards instead of bringing their own.
To be a bit more specific, players share an 80-card deck where the only threats available are ten copies of Dandan. Additionally, eight copies of Memory Lapse are also considered core.
This adds a lot of levels of complexity to Forgetful Fish that aren’t a part of normal Magic. Deck manipulation is a big deal in this format, which is exacerbated by the fact that both players draw from the same deck. Players also share a graveyard, which means Flashback effects can be used by both players. Decking out is an actual win condition in Forgetful Fish, and it’s incredibly messy when both players are at risk of doing so.
Decklists for Forgetful Fish are generally fixed, but there are slight variations between different builds. At the time of writing, we are unsure of what build this MagicCon Chicago Forgetful Fish event will use. We’re also uncertain if players need to bring their own cards or if Wizards of the Coast will supply Forgetful Fish decks for them.
If you want to learn more about Forgetful Fish, we talk about it with more depth here.
Who is the Most Forgetful Fish?
MagicCon: Chicago is coming up this February, and there is a wide range of events for every kind of MTG player. Of course, the Aetherdrift Pro Tour will take place here. For competitive hopefuls, there’s a Murders at Karlov Manor sealed event offering four players a direct ticket to the Pro Tour, as well.
While reaching the pinnacle of competitive Magic is a dream for many, some players are incredibly passionate about smaller formats that don’t see a lot of limelight. At MagicCon: Chicago, Forgetful Fish may be the highlight format for the whole event, because a massive competitive circuit is being offered for the weekend, and enthusiasts are beside themselves in anticipation.
Similar to the Secret Lair Showdowns of the past, players can compete in Forgetful Fish qualifiers on previous days of the con to gain entry to the final championship event. This event will take place on the Sunday of MagicCon Chicago. The top eight of the event will be awarded exclusive playmats, as well as graded Dandans depending on their final placing.
Being the poster child of the Forgetful Fish format, a graded Dandan is the perfect luxury prize for any proficient Forgetful Fish enjoyer. Of course, first place will also receive an exclusive Champion’s playmat.
For reference, Graded copies of Dandan can easily go for hundreds of dollars. Dandan was printed in Arabian Nights, the third MTG set ever, and also has an incredibly rare Timeshifted Foil printing from Timespiral Remastered. While these prizes for top placings likely shy in comparison to larger competitive events, this isn’t about the money. Instead, it’s about the prestige of being one of the best Forgetful Fish players in the world, as well as celebrating a truly intricate MTG format that many players love.
Incredible Levels of Excitement
Sure, this Forgetful Fish tournament certainly isn’t for everyone, but there is a subsection of MTG players who are incredibly excited that this niche format is getting some love. Many MTG personalities highlighted this unexpected MagicCon Chicago inclusion, and it received overwhelmingly positive commentary:
“Legitimately, a super exciting event. Also the most fair magic tournament ever run.”
HaplessMagician
“Greatest event of all time? Yes!”
DaCrabsMTG
Forgetful Fish theoretically avoids many pitfalls common competitive Magic falls into. A lack of deck preparation lifts a barrier to entry in the form of expensive cards, assuming that decks are provided, forcing competing players to focus solely on their in-game skills. While opening hands and topdecks are still a lucky element that can never be avoided, the level of variance offered in this event is certainly less than traditional Limited.
Forgetful Fish puts everyone on an even playing field. You play with the same deck, which means you use the same cards. Skill isn’t everything, but Forgetful Fish is one of the most intricate formats of Magic out there. The event winner must see multiple layers deep to make their decisions.
