Mystical Tutor: Let's Learn about MTG's Standard Format

So you’ve heard about Magic: The Gathering and want to dive into the action. Great choice! If you’re looking to play the game in a structured, balanced way, the MTG Standard format is a perfect place to begin. Whether you're dreaming of becoming the next tournament champ or just want to cast dragons at your kitchen table, here’s everything you need to know to get started with Standard.

What Is MTG's Standard Format?

Standard is one of Magic’s most accessible (though maybe not in price) and widely played formats. It features a rotating pool of cards, meaning only certain sets are legal to play at any given time. This keeps the game fresh and prevents older, super-powerful cards or crazy combos from dominating forever.

Think of it like a trendy restaurant menu. Every year, the chef (Wizards of the Coast) swaps out some dishes (card sets) and adds new ones to keep things exciting. The result? A balanced and ever-evolving format.

What Sets Are Legal in Standard?

Standard typically includes the most recent sets, rotating out older ones about once per year. As of June 2025, the legal sets in Standard are:

• Tarkir: Dragonstorm

• Aetherdrift

• Magic: The Gathering® Foundations

• Duskmourn: House of Horror

• Bloomburrow

• Outlaws of Thunder Junction

• Murders at Karlov Manor

• The Lost Caverns of Ixalan

• Wilds of Eldraine

• March of the Machine: The Aftermath

• March of the Machine

• Phyrexia: All Will Be One

• The Brothers' War

• Dominaria United

  
  

Each time a new fall set is released, the 4 oldest sets rotate out. So keep an eye on those release dates to make sure your deck stays legal.

How to Build a Standard Deck

A Standard deck must have:

• A minimum of 60 cards in the main deck.

• Up to 15 cards in the optional sideboard, or cards you can swap in between matches to better counter your opponent.

  
  

There’s no maximum deck size, but keep in mind that consistency is key. Most players stick right to 60 cards to increase the odds of drawing their best spells. You can include up to four copies of any individual card (except basic lands, which are unlimited).

Your deck should have a solid balance of:

• Creatures to attack or defend

• Spells to interact with your opponent

• Lands to cast everything

  
  

And yes, putting 30 dragons in one deck sounds amazing. But unless they’re all 2-mana dragons (spoiler: they’re not), you might want to mix in some early plays too.

Tips for Those New to Standard

1. Start with a Preconstructed Deck Wizards releases ready-to-play Starter Kits and Standard Challenger Decks that are perfect for beginners. They’re reasonably priced and give you a feel for how a real deck operates.

2. Learn the Meta (But Don’t Stress About It) The "meta" refers to the most popular decks and strategies. While it's good to know about to keep up, don’t worry about mastering it on day one. Your goal is to learn, have fun, and maybe steal a win or two with your own style.

3. Focus on One or Two Colors Multicolor decks are fun but can be tricky to manage. Beginners usually do best by sticking to one or two colors for smoother mana and simpler decision-making.

4. Practice with Friends or Online SpellTable, MTG Arena, and your local game store (LGS) are all great places to test your deck, ask questions, and learn by playing.

5. Keep It Budget-Friendly You don’t need to spend a fortune to be competitive. Many strong decks are affordable, and websites often post budget builds of top-tier lists.

Why Standard is Great for Beginners

Standard is Magic’s way of saying “Come on in, the water’s fine.” It can be beginner-friendly, it's balanced, and constantly evolving. It encourages deckbuilding creativity while teaching you the core rules and interactions that carry over into every other format.

So go ahead. Pick your favorite color, summon your creatures, and start slinging spells. The battlefield is waiting!