Modern

Modern is a constructed format that allows expansion sets and core sets from Eighth Edition forward, save for the Modern ban list. The modern format thus encompasses all cards that have been printed in a set using the modern Card Frame.

Description

The format was introduced as a non-sanctioned Magic Online format in May, 19, 2011. And subsequently officially codified on August 12, 2011, when the format of Pro Tour Philadelphia was changed from Extended to Modern.

Constructed decks must contain a minimum of sixty cards. There is no maximum deck size; however, you must be able to shuffle your deck with no assistance. Like other constructed formats, a sideboard of at most of fifteen cards can be used.

With the exception of basic land cards, a player's combined deck and sideboard may not contain more than four of any individual card, counted by its English card title equivalent. All cards named Plains, Island, Swamp, Mountain, and Forest are basic, as are their snow-covered counterparts — Snow-Covered Plains, Snow-Covered Island, Snow-Covered Swamp, Snow-Covered Mountain, and Snow-Covered Forest.

Set legality

Any regular expansions/core set released since the introduction of newer card frame (i.e. Mirrodin and Eighth Edition respectively) can be used.

As of September 26th, 2014, cards from the following sets are permitted in Modern tournaments :

Eighth Edition Mirrodin Darksteel Fifth Dawn Champions of Kamigawa Betrayers of Kamigawa Saviors of Kamigawa Ninth Edition

Ravnica: City of Guilds Guildpact Dissension Coldsnap Time Spiral † Planar Chaos Future Sight Tenth Edition

Lorwyn Morningtide Shadowmoor Eventide Shards of Alara Conflux Alara Reborn Magic 2010

Zendikar Worldwake Rise of the Eldrazi Magic 2011 Scars of Mirrodin Mirrodin Besieged New Phyrexia Magic 2012

Innistrad Dark Ascension Avacyn Restored Magic 2013 Return to Ravnica Gatecrash Dragon's Maze Magic 2014

Theros Born of the Gods Journey into Nyx Magic 2015 Khans of Tarkir

^† This includes timeshifted cards. Even it is printed as older frame

Banned List

See also: Timeline of DCI bans and restrictions.

As of January 23rd, 2015, the following cards are banned in Modern tournaments:

Ancestral Vision Ancient Den Birthing Pod Blazing Shoal Bloodbraid Elf Chrome Mox Cloudpost Dark Depths Dig Through Time Deathrite Shaman Dread Return

Glimpse of Nature Great Furnace Green Sun's Zenith Hypergenesis Jace, the Mind Sculptor Mental Misstep Ponder Preordain Punishing Fire Rite of Flame Seat of the Synod

Second Sunrise Seething Song Sensei's Divining Top Stoneforge Mystic Skullclamp Sword of the Meek Treasure Cruise Tree of Tales Umezawa's Jitte Vault of Whispers

Popular archetypes

• Modern Death Cloud Rock deck
• Modern Delver deck
• Modern Infect Combo deck
• Modern Living End deck
• Modern Melira deck
• Modern Mystical Teachings deck
• Modern Pyromancer deck
• Modern Zoo deck