How do I know what's legal and what isn't?
Asked by bitchtits74 11 years ago
I have both dark ritual and living death in my deck they're on a list of illegal cards but not not in the list of cards banned in modern format how can I tell what is banned at FNM and what isn't I'd like to know before my first time.
Epochalyptik says... Accepted answer #2
Please link all cards in your question.
Dark Ritual
Living Death
They aren't on the ban list because the ban list only includes cards that should be legal given format rules, but aren't because they were specifically excluded from the pool of legal cards. Neither Dark Ritual nor Living Death has ever been printed in a Modern-legal set.
Modern encompasses all cards printed in sets from 8th Edition and up, including Time Spiral "Timeshifted" cards, and excluding Unhinged and any cards explicitly banned. Dark Ritual and Living Death have been reprinted since 8th Edition, but only in special products like Commander and Duel Decks. These special releases do not affect the Modern legality of any cards because Modern does not count special releases in its card pool.
For full information on all sanctioned formats, including Modern, go here.
November 14, 2013 6:02 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #3
@Matsi883: This question is alright in the Q&A because it's asking mostly about formats and card legality, which fall under a broad interpretation of "rules questions," and can be answered with a single, definitive post.
November 14, 2013 6:03 p.m.
bitchtits74 says... #4
I got them both from the phyrexia vs. coalition deck I thought those sets were legal.
November 14, 2013 6:04 p.m.
UrbanAnathema says... #5
Look up the card on the Gatherer and click the tab "Sets and Legality" Easiest way.
November 14, 2013 6:04 p.m.
bitchtits74 says... #6
I feel very stupid for not thinking of that before thanks.
November 14, 2013 6:06 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #7
No. Although Duel Deck cards use the Modern card border, they are not included in Modern. Modern does not recognize any cards printed in special products like Duel Decks, Commander, Planechase, Premium Decks, etc. unless those cards were also printed in a Modern-legal set.
November 14, 2013 6:07 p.m.
bitchtits74 says... #8
so (just as an example) because pacifism exists inside and outside a promo set it's completely legal?
November 14, 2013 6:12 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #9
Yes. Pacifism has been printed in at least one Modern-legal set, so any printing of Pacifism is legal for use in Modern.
November 14, 2013 6:16 p.m.
bitchtits74 says... #10
OK thanks. I suppose I may start using a sideboard for non-casual games.
November 14, 2013 6:19 p.m.
@Epochalyptik: There are a few printings that aren't tournament. For example, the overlarge Generals aren't allowed anywhere outside the command zone and battlefield. Also, the cards from copied replicas of tournament-winning decks from 1995 aren't legal in tournaments. I think there might be a Pacifism in there somewhere... :)
November 14, 2013 7:17 p.m.
bitchtits74 says... #12
what do you mean by a copied replica? I've never heard of this before. keep in mind I've only played with friends :P
November 15, 2013 5:29 a.m.
UrbanAnathema says... #13
Back in 95 WOTC released prebuilt copies of tournament winning decks. These cards had a different backing so you knew these decks or cards from these decks when you saw them Cards from these sets are not tournament legal.
November 15, 2013 7:05 a.m.
bitchtits74 says... #14
Oh OK I'll look into those they sound like fun thanks again.
Matsi883 says... #1
Both Dark Ritual and Living Death weren't printed in a legal modern set (they were printed in promo sets).
Questions like these shouldn't be asked in the Q & A.
November 14, 2013 6:01 p.m.