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What is the MTG Hand Limit? A Comprehensive Guide

The standard hand limit in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) is seven cards. This means that at the end of your turn, during your cleanup step, if you have more than seven cards in your hand, you must discard down to seven. While you can temporarily hold more cards during your turn, failing to discard to the seven-card limit before your next turn will result in losing those extra cards. Understanding this fundamental rule is essential for any MTG player, and this article delves into the nuances of hand limits, exceptions, and strategies related to card management.

Understanding the Basic Hand Limit Rule

The core rule for hand size is outlined in the comprehensive rulebook: “Each player has a maximum hand size, which is normally seven cards.” This seemingly simple rule is one of the cornerstones of MTG gameplay. Here’s a breakdown:

Normal Maximum: The standard hand size is seven cards.
Cleanup Step: The discard to hand size occurs during the cleanup step of your turn. This is after combat, after your main phases, and right before your turn passes to the next player.
Temporary Overhand: You can hold more than seven cards in your hand during your turn; however, you must discard down at the end of your turn.

The primary purpose of this rule is to ensure the game does not stagnate with players hoarding a huge number of cards. It forces players to make choices about which cards they want to keep and utilize, encouraging the constant flow of gameplay.

Exceptions to the Hand Limit

While the seven-card limit is the default, MTG is rife with exceptions. Certain cards and effects allow players to either have no hand limit or to hold more than seven cards without having to discard down. These exceptions add significant complexity and strategy to the game.

Cards that Grant Unlimited Hand Size

Some cards explicitly grant you an unlimited hand size. The most famous example is Reliquary Tower. When this land is on the battlefield, you are no longer restricted by the seven-card limit, and you can maintain an arbitrarily large hand. Other cards that might offer the same effect include:

Thought Vessel: An artifact that also grants no maximum hand size.
Other cards with similar effects: The ability is not exclusive to these cards.

Temporary Increase to Hand Size

Some effects temporarily change your hand size limit. For example, the spell Enter the Infinite states that “You have no maximum hand size until your next turn.” These temporary increases are often powerful but require careful planning to maximize their advantage.

Cards That Impact Hand Discarding

Other cards and abilities may force you to discard, irrespective of your hand size. These are usually strategic effects, often used by decks that focus on reanimating discarded cards. These mechanics can interact interestingly with hand size and discard limits.

Hand Size in Different MTG Formats

While the basic hand limit rule applies across most formats, specific formats may have some adjustments. For example:

Commander/EDH: The hand limit remains seven, and a deck is always 100 cards. Players start with a 7-card hand.
Limited (Draft/Sealed): Hand limit is seven, just like in constructed formats.
Other Formats: Unless stated otherwise by a card or a specific format rule, the hand limit is always seven.

Strategies for Managing Hand Size

Managing your hand size effectively is a key part of playing MTG well. Here are a few tips:

Card Advantage: Cards that let you draw more cards can be powerful, but managing your hand size becomes more critical.
Discard Strategies: Decks that focus on using the graveyard should use discarding to their advantage.
Knowing Your Deck: Understand which cards are essential to keep and which you can afford to discard.
Using Mana Effectively: Play your cards strategically, so you don’t need to discard essential cards at the end of your turn.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About MTG Hand Limits

Here are 15 related FAQs to further clarify the rules around hand limits and their interactions within the game of MTG:

What Land Gives You Unlimited Hand Size?

The land Reliquary Tower gives you an unlimited hand size in Magic: The Gathering. While this card is on the battlefield you have no maximum hand size.

Do All Players Have No Max Hand Size?

No, generally players have a maximum hand size of seven cards. This is a default rule, and you need specific cards like Reliquary Tower or Thought Vessel or effects like Enter the Infinite to get no maximum hand size.

How Many Cards Can You Have in Commander Hand?

In Commander (also known as EDH), each player starts with a hand of seven cards. The standard hand limit of seven still applies unless specific effects are in place.

What is the Max Hand Size in Here to Slay?

While Here to Slay typically doesn’t have a hard hand size limit, some house rules are used. A common house rule is to enforce a 7-card hand limit to prevent late-game card hoarding.

Is There a Hand Limit in Slay the Spire?

Yes, in Slay the Spire, you have a maximum hand size of 10 cards.

What is the Hand Limit in Unstable Unicorns?

In Unstable Unicorns, the standard hand limit is 7 cards. You must discard down to seven cards at the end of your turn.

Can a Legendary Planeswalker be a Commander?

Yes, some Planeswalkers can be a commander if their card states, “[CARDNAME] can be your commander,” which makes them an exception to the normal legendary creature rule for commanders.

What is the Max Cards for Commander?

A Commander deck must contain exactly 100 cards, including your commander. There is no minimum or maximum deck size other than that.

Can a Commander be Returned to Hand?

Yes, the owner of a commander may choose to return it to their hand instead of the command zone when it would go elsewhere. Returning it to the hand does not incur any tax.

Are Oversized Cards Legal in MTG?

Yes, oversized commander cards are legal as long as your commander is in a public zone, such as the command zone or the battlefield. Use the regular Magic card when it is in a hidden zone like your library or hand.

What is the Largest Legal MTG Deck Size?

There is no maximum deck size in MTG. Your deck only needs to be able to be shuffled without assistance and that your sideboard can only be 15 cards.

Which MTG Format Has the Most Players?

Commander (EDH) is the most popular MTG format, especially in the casual scene.

How Do You Get No Maximum Hand Size in Magic The Gathering?

You can gain a no maximum hand size effect with cards like Reliquary Tower, Thought Vessel, or temporarily via cards like Enter the Infinite.

What is a Good Amount of Lands to Have?

A good amount of lands to have in your deck is typically around 33 to 35 lands, which is recommended for decks that include a lot of card draw. It is also dependent on the average mana value of cards in your deck, with higher MV cards warranting more land.

Can Any Legendary Card Be a Commander?

For a card to be a commander it must either be a legendary creature or a Planeswalker with text that says it “can be your commander.”

Conclusion

The hand limit of seven in MTG is more than just a technical rule; it’s a design element that drives the flow of the game. Mastering how to manage hand size, understanding the exceptions, and knowing when to discard are essential skills for any aspiring Magic player. With the information provided, you should now have a better handle on hand limits and their crucial impact on the game.

What is the MTG hand limit?