Is There a Card Limit in Magic: The Gathering?
The straightforward answer is: no, there isn’t a hard maximum card limit in most formats of Magic: The Gathering (MTG). However, this answer comes with important caveats and nuances that every player, from beginner to veteran, should understand. While you can theoretically have a deck of any size, practical considerations and specific rules mean there are limitations you must adhere to. Let’s dive deeper into the details of deck size restrictions in MTG.
Minimum Deck Size: The 60-Card Rule
The Foundation of Constructed Play
In the vast majority of sanctioned Constructed formats, a minimum deck size of 60 cards is required. This rule applies across popular formats like Standard, Modern, Pioneer, Legacy, and Vintage. This number isn’t arbitrary; it’s designed to provide a balance between consistency and variability in your draws. A smaller deck might be more consistent, but it also reduces the variety and potential for unexpected plays.
Why 60 Cards?
The 60-card minimum promotes strategic deck building. Players are forced to make choices about which cards to include, and how many copies of each. This limit pushes players to consider card synergy, efficient mana curves, and their overall game plan. Choosing your 60 cards is often the most crucial part of the game even before a single card is drawn.
Maximum Deck Size: The Shuffle Test
No Formal Maximum, With a Caveat
While there is no explicit maximum card limit, the official rule states that a player must be able to shuffle their deck unassisted. This is the de facto maximum, as a deck that becomes too large is simply impossible to reasonably shuffle. This practical limitation effectively prevents players from having decks of hundreds or thousands of cards.
The Practical Limits of Large Decks
Imagine trying to shuffle a deck of 200 cards, or even more! It would be cumbersome, time-consuming, and likely unfair to other players. That is why the “shuffle unassisted” rule is in place. This means that a deck must be of a size that a player can handle comfortably and reasonably efficiently.
Exceptions and Special Cases
Draft and Sealed
Not all formats adhere to the 60-card minimum. In Booster Draft and Sealed events, the deck size requirement is different. Players typically build decks with a minimum of 40 cards using the cards they opened or drafted. These formats also allow players to add as many basic lands as they need to reach the minimum size.
Commander (EDH)
The popular Commander format, or EDH, has its own unique rules. Commander decks must be exactly 100 cards, including the commander, and must adhere to the Singleton rule meaning you can only have one copy of any card, except basic lands.
Limited Card Limits
Besides the deck size requirements, there are also card copy limits within your deck. Except for basic lands, you are only allowed a maximum of four copies of any card with a given name in your deck. This rule is designed to prevent decks from being too reliant on one particular card and to encourage variety. Some cards have text that overrides the standard four-copy limit. The number of copies of a card is also affected by the format you’re playing, like Commander’s singleton rule.
Hand Size and Card Limits
Hand Size: The 7-Card Limit
While there aren’t strict limits on the number of cards in your hand during your turn, there is a maximum hand size of seven cards. At the end of each turn, if a player has more than seven cards in hand, they must discard down to seven. This rule keeps the game moving and prevents players from accumulating large, overwhelming hands.
Exceptions to Hand Size
Some cards have the ability to let you have a larger maximum hand size than seven cards. Be aware of these when choosing the cards you use.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you have more than 60 cards in a Magic deck?
Yes, you can have more than 60 cards in a deck, but you must be able to shuffle the deck unassisted. The practicalities of shuffling a large deck are what usually stop players from using excessively large decks.
2. What is the optimal deck size in MTG?
For most competitive formats, 60 cards is considered the optimal size. This is because smaller decks provide more consistency in drawing the cards you need. Increasing the deck size lowers the odds of drawing specific key cards.
3. Is there a card type limit in MTG?
Except for basic lands (Island, Forest, Plains, Swamp, Mountain, and Waste), you are generally limited to four copies of any card with a given name in your deck. This helps promote card variety and prevents decks from being too reliant on one or two cards.
4. Why does Magic have a 4-card limit?
The 4-card limit was implemented to prevent highly unfair combos. Before this rule, a deck could be filled with game-ending combinations of cards, which were considered unfair and boring to play against.
5. Can you hold more than 7 cards in your hand in MTG?
You can hold more than seven cards during your turn, but at the end of each turn, you must discard down to the maximum hand size of seven. Some cards, however, will let you have a greater maximum hand size.
6. Can you have a 40 card deck in Magic?
In Draft and Sealed formats, you are required to have a minimum deck size of 40 cards. You can also add as many basic lands as you need to reach that minimum.
7. Are cards from the Warhammer 40,000 Commander decks legal in all formats?
The Warhammer 40,000 Commander cards are legal in Commander, Vintage, and Legacy formats, but they are not legal in Standard, Pioneer, or Modern formats.
8. What is the rarest card type in MTG?
The Black Lotus is considered one of the rarest and most valuable cards in Magic. It was printed in the game’s early sets and has become very hard to find.
9. What is a supertype in MTG?
A card’s supertype is printed before its card types. Common supertypes include basic, legendary, ongoing, snow, and world.
10. What happens when you run out of cards in your deck?
If you run out of cards in your deck and must draw one, you will take 1 point of damage every time you are required to draw.
11. Is the Black Lotus banned?
The Black Lotus is banned in all formats except Vintage, due to its extraordinary power and the fact it can heavily unbalance gameplay.
12. What is the 75% rule in MTG?
The 75% rule is an approach to building Commander decks that are optimized but not designed to win flawlessly every time. It aims to achieve a balance between strategic play and enjoyable interaction.
13. Why are MTG cards banned?
Cards can be banned for various reasons, including offensive art, text, or names, or because they create overly powerful or unfair combinations. These cards are banned to make the game more fair and balanced.
14. Can MTG cards be fake?
Yes, fake MTG cards do exist. Genuine cards usually let light pass through evenly. Most fakes are more opaque, but some may let through too much light.
15. Can you mix MTG cards from different expansions?
Yes, you can mix cards from different expansions, as this is a core feature of the game. The only exceptions to this rule are sometimes in formats with restrictions on sets used.
Conclusion
While there is no upper limit to deck size in Magic: The Gathering, the requirement that a player be able to shuffle their deck unassisted, in addition to other format rules, provides a practical limit. The 60-card minimum in constructed formats is designed for balanced and strategic gameplay, ensuring that players make meaningful choices about deck building. Understanding these nuances is vital for any serious Magic player, contributing to both competitive success and a more enjoyable experience.