Can I play proxies in Legacy?

Not at official, sanctioned tournaments. Many local groups do run proxy-friendly events, and at a casual table it's fine if your opponent agrees. Always ask first.

What's the difference between Legacy and Vintage?

Both use almost every card ever printed. Legacy bans the strongest cards outright; Vintage puts them on a restricted list, so you can play 1 copy.

What's the Reserved List?

A list of old cards Wizards has promised never to reprint. That keeps supply small and prices high.

Can I play Legacy online?

Yes, on Magic Online. MTG Arena doesn't have Legacy. The ban list is on the Banned and Restricted page at magic.wizards.com.

Legacy: the format explained

Almost anything goes: extremely powerful and expensive.

Advanced · €€€€ · 1v1

Card pool: Virtually every card ever printed, with a banlist.
Notable: Iconic expensive cards (including the original dual lands).

Who is it for?

For enthusiasts who want the most powerful 1-on-1 games and are willing to invest. Often played with "proxies" (fake cards) in casual circles to keep costs down.

Getting started with Legacy

Legacy is expensive, mostly because of cards on the Reserved List: old cards Wizards has promised never to reprint, such as the original dual lands. So start with a deck that doesn't need them. Some archetypes run mostly basic lands or a single color, and cost far less. Magic Online is a much cheaper way to get to know the format.

In paper, you play Legacy at stores with a regular group, often on a set night. Many of those groups run events where proxies are allowed; ask the organizer what's okay. Official, sanctioned tournaments require real cards. Find your local Legacy group before buying anything: they know what's being played and often lend out cards.

Building a Legacy deck

The deck rules are those of any constructed format: at least 60 cards, no more than 4 copies of any card (except basic lands, counted across deck and sideboard together) and a sideboard of up to 15 cards. Almost every card in Magic's history is legal; only the ones on the ban list aren't. Tournaments are best-of-three.

Legacy decks often run few lands, somewhere between 18 and 22, because many spells cost one mana and cheap cards help you find your lands. Your curve is low: a three-mana card has to be very good to earn a slot. Tempo, control, combo, aggro and decks that disrupt your opponent's mana all show up.

Games can be decided in the first few turns. Every deck needs cheap interaction, like counterspells or one-mana removal, or a plan fast enough to win on its own. Your sideboard is about answers to fast combo, to graveyard decks and to decks that attack your lands.

Common mistakes

Buying the most expensive cards first. Learn which deck you want to play; a pricey single without a deck doesn't pay off.
Playing a fair midrange deck with no disruption. Without cheap interaction, you're always a step behind combo decks.
Buying suspiciously cheap Reserved List cards. Counterfeits are out there; buy from trusted sellers and get expensive cards checked.
Only learning how your opponent wins after the game. In Legacy you need to recognize the main archetypes, or you won't know what to stop.

Frequently asked questions

Can I play proxies in Legacy?: Not at official, sanctioned tournaments. Many local groups do run proxy-friendly events, and at a casual table it's fine if your opponent agrees. Always ask first.
What's the difference between Legacy and Vintage?: Both use almost every card ever printed. Legacy bans the strongest cards outright; Vintage puts them on a restricted list, so you can play 1 copy.
What's the Reserved List?: A list of old cards Wizards has promised never to reprint. That keeps supply small and prices high.
Can I play Legacy online?: Yes, on Magic Online. MTG Arena doesn't have Legacy. The ban list is on the Banned and Restricted page at magic.wizards.com.

Other formats

Commander (EDH)Standard Pioneer Modern Pauper Vintage Oathbreaker

See which of your cards are Legacy-legal →

Last updated: 26 October 2026