What is Premodern?
Premodern is a Magic: The Gathering format played with cards from Fourth Edition through Scourge (1995–2003), the game's golden era. It captures the feel of early competitive Magic: iconic old-border cards, meaningful decisions and a rich, interactive metagame, free of the power creep of later sets.
How it plays
Premodern is an eternal, non-rotating format. Games reward tight play, deckbuilding skill and knowledge of the metagame rather than raw speed. Combo, control, aggro and midrange all have a home, from Goblins and Stiflenought to Landstill, Replenish and The Rock.
Deck construction
- Minimum 60-card main deck.
- Up to a 15-card sideboard.
- At most 4 copies of any single card (basic lands excepted).
A card is legal as long as its name appears in one of these sets. (Reprints in newer sets are legal too, but on Premodern Chronicles we always show the period-correct old-frame printing.)
Fourth Edition
Ice Age
Chronicles
Homelands
Alliances
Mirage
Visions
Fifth Edition
Weatherlight
Tempest
Stronghold
Exodus
Urza's Saga
Urza's Legacy
Sixth Edition
Urza's Destiny
Mercadian Masques
Nemesis
Prophecy
Invasion
Planeshift
Seventh Edition
Apocalypse
Odyssey
Torment
Judgment
Onslaught
Legions
ScourgeTo keep the format diverse and interactive, these cards are banned, including the classic ante cards.
Banlist is maintained by the Premodern format committee, check premodernmagic.com for official updates.
Learn more
Official format home: premodernmagic.com · Community & events: playpremodern.com