If you are a Magic the Gathering fan, you might have wondered how many copies of the same card you can have in a deck. The answer is not straightforward and depends on the format you are playing and the rules that apply. In this article, we will explore the different formats and their rules to help you understand how many of the same card you can have in a Magic deck.
Standard Format
The Standard format is the most popular and widely played format in Magic the Gathering. In this format, you can have a maximum of four copies of any card with the same name in your deck, including basic lands. This rule is designed to encourage players to explore different strategies and card combinations and prevent certain cards from dominating the format.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. If a card has a specific rule that allows you to have more than four copies, such as Relentless Rats or Rat Colony, you can have as many copies of that card as you want in your deck. Similarly, if a card has different versions with different names, such as Shock and Lightning Bolt, you can have four copies of each version in your deck.
Modern Format
The Modern format is another popular format in Magic the Gathering, which includes cards from the Eighth Edition and Mirrodin expansions and all expansions since then. In this format, the same rule as the Standard format applies, which allows you to have a maximum of four copies of any card with the same name in your deck, including basic lands.
However, there are some additional banned and restricted cards in the Modern format, which means you cannot include these cards in your deck or can only include a limited number of copies. The banned and restricted list is updated regularly by Wizards of the Coast to ensure a fair and balanced playing environment.
Legacy and Vintage Formats
The Legacy and Vintage formats are designed for more experienced players and include cards from all expansions of Magic the Gathering. In these formats, the same rule as the Standard and Modern formats applies, which allows you to have a maximum of four copies of any card with the same name in your deck, including basic lands.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule in the Legacy and Vintage formats. If a card is restricted, you can only have one copy of that card in your deck. If a card is banned, you cannot include that card in your deck at all. The restricted and banned list is updated regularly by Wizards of the Coast to ensure a fair and balanced playing environment.
Commander Format
The Commander format, also known as EDH (Elder Dragon Highlander), is a multiplayer format where each player has a 100-card singleton deck with no more than one copy of any card except basic lands. This means that you can only have one copy of any card with the same name in your deck, including non-basic lands.
However, there is one exception to this rule. If a card has the Partner ability, you can have two commanders instead of one, and each commander can have a different partner card. This rule is designed to encourage players to explore different strategies and card combinations and create unique and diverse decks.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the number of copies of the same card you can have in a Magic deck depends on the format you are playing. In the Standard and Modern formats, you can have a maximum of four copies of any card with the same name in your deck, including basic lands. In the Legacy and Vintage formats, you can have a maximum of four copies of any card with the same name in your deck, including basic lands, but with some exceptions for restricted and banned cards. In the Commander format, you can only have one copy of any card with the same name in your deck, except for basic lands and partner cards.
Understanding the rules and restrictions of each format is essential to building a successful and competitive Magic deck. So, whether you are a casual or competitive player, make sure to familiarize yourself with the format rules and create a deck that suits your playstyle and strategy.
