Is Unfinity Standard Legal in Magic: The Gathering?
The straightforward answer is: No, Unfinity is not Standard legal in Magic: The Gathering. This might be a bit of a surprise, especially given that a significant portion of Unfinity cards are legal in other formats. However, the Standard format has specific rules regarding which sets are permitted for play, and Unfinity does not meet those criteria.
While Unfinity might have black borders, a characteristic usually associated with tournament legality, it’s crucial to understand that the set is designed differently from traditional Magic expansions. Its primary focus lies in unconventional gameplay mechanics and a more lighthearted approach. The set introduces elements like stickers, attractions, and acorn-stamped cards, all of which deviate significantly from the core mechanics of Standard. Standard is a rotating format that uses only the most recent sets that have been released. Unfinity isn’t in that rotation.
Understanding the Legality of Unfinity Cards
Unfinity occupies a unique space within the Magic: The Gathering ecosystem. Unlike previous “Un-sets,” it features a mix of cards, some of which are deemed legal in Eternal formats like Commander, Legacy, and Vintage. The key to determining this legality lies in the presence or absence of an acorn stamp on the card.
The Acorn Stamp Distinction
Cards without an acorn stamp are legal in Eternal formats. This is a significant departure from earlier Un-sets that were entirely silver-bordered, meaning they were not legal in any traditional constructed formats. This means that if an Unfinity card does not have the acorn stamp, it is legal for use in Commander, Legacy, and Vintage. Conversely, cards with the acorn stamp are not legal in these formats. They are designed for more casual, unconventional play.
Standard and Rotation
Standard format is a dynamic and popular format known for its regularly shifting card pool. To maintain this, a format rotates through sets, allowing newer sets into the format while removing older ones. The Unfinity set was not designed to be part of this rotation and the way it works with the card pool in standard.
Why Unfinity Isn’t Standard Legal
The deliberate design choices for Unfinity, incorporating mechanics like stickers and attractions, make it incompatible with the more streamlined experience of Standard. Standard focuses on balanced, competitive play with mechanics that generally align with the overall game system. Unfinity’s mechanics are more wacky and sometimes difficult to balance against a structured format like Standard.
The Unique Nature of Unfinity
Unfinity breaks conventions and pushes the boundaries of Magic, but this also means its mechanics, and many of its cards, do not seamlessly integrate into the Standard environment. The set’s use of stickers, and attractions are not a part of Standard design which means that mixing the two would break the rules and format of Standard.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Unfinity and Format Legality
1. What exactly are Eternal formats?
Eternal formats are formats that allow cards from nearly all Magic: The Gathering sets. The most prominent ones are Commander, Legacy, and Vintage. These formats typically have their own ban lists to regulate balance. They stand in contrast to rotating formats like Standard, which have specific sets that are legal at any time.
2. How many Unfinity cards are legal in Commander?
There are approximately 140 cards from Unfinity that are legal in Commander, so long as they do not have an acorn stamp. These are the black-bordered cards without the acorn symbol at the bottom of the card.
3. Are Unfinity stickers legal in Commander?
Yes, Unfinity stickers are legal in Commander, as long as you are using a card that allows you to play them. You can acquire sticker sheets through Unfinity packs, or generate them online through a digital tool.
4. What is the difference between a regular card and an acorn-stamped card in Unfinity?
Regular cards in Unfinity are those with a black border and no acorn stamp. These are the cards that are legal in Eternal formats. Acorn-stamped cards are designed for more casual play and are not legal in most tournament formats.
5. Why are some cards banned in Commander?
Cards are usually banned in Commander because they are too powerful and create unbalanced gameplay. These are usually cards that require specific responses or warp the entire format around them. If such cards were legal, a competitive player would have to use them, or specifically respond to them.
6. Will Unfinity cards be on MTG Arena?
Currently, there are no plans for Unfinity cards to be featured on MTG Arena. However, many eternal Unfinity cards are featured on Magic Online (MTGO).
7. Are all black-bordered Unfinity cards legal in all Eternal formats?
Yes, all black-bordered Unfinity cards without the acorn stamp are legal in all Eternal formats, including Commander, Legacy, and Vintage.
8. Can you get shock lands from Unfinity draft packs?
Yes, about one in 24 Draft Boosters will contain a borderless shock land. These come in both traditional foil and galaxy foil treatments, and are part of the popular and sought after lands in the set.
9. What is a galaxy foil in Unfinity?
Galaxy foil is a special foil treatment that emphasizes planets and stars within the foiling. It is one of the signature foil treatments of Unfinity, and some of the most highly sought after cards in the set.
10. Are dungeon cards legal in Commander?
Dungeon cards themselves are not included in your deck, but they are legal as long as you have cards in your deck that have the text “venture into the dungeon”. This means that any cards with the venture mechanic are legal in Commander, and the dungeon card follows those cards.
11. What are the odds of getting a shock land in Unfinity boosters?
In Draft Boosters, the odds are 1 in 24 (4%) of pulling a non-foil shock land. In Collector Boosters, the odds are 1 in 12 (8%) for opening a shock land of any kind, half of which will be in traditional foil and the other half in galaxy foil.
12. How do Unfinity stickers work in a draft?
In Unfinity Booster Draft, you keep the sticker sheets you open, but you can only use sticker sheets you open yourself in a limited format. Stickers are not drafted with other cards.
13. Why are Mox cards banned in so many formats?
Mox cards are banned because they provide an unbalanced level of mana acceleration. Their ability to play multiple in a single turn leads to extremely fast and powerful plays, so many of them are banned in formats like Standard, Pioneer, and Modern.
14. What are the most popular and competitive formats in MTG?
Commander is considered the most popular format of MTG, while Modern is considered one of the most competitive and expensive formats. Both formats see a lot of participation, but have very different goals of play.
15. Can you play MTGO without spending money?
Yes, you can play MTGO for free by challenging other users or participating in the “Constructed Open Play” area where there are no entry fees. This allows a large number of players the ability to play the digital format, and test new decks without a large investment.