What is Pauper?
Pauper is a competitive Magic: The Gathering format built around one simple rule: every card in your deck must have been printed at common rarity.
Like other constructed formats, decks contain a minimum of 60 cards, with a 15-card sideboard. Games are generally played as best-of-three matches, with the sideboard giving you the chance to adapt your deck for games 2 and 3 depending on the match-up.
Because Pauper uses common cards it is one of the most affordable and diverse competitive formats in Magic. The card pool stretches across Magic's history (after all, it is an Eternal format), creating an enormous range of strategies without the price tag associated with many other competitive formats.
Pauper does have its own banned list, so not every card that has been printed at common is legal. Check the current Pauper ban list at draftsim.com/mtg-pauper-banlist.
The Power of Commons
Don't let the rarity common fool you. Pauper is an eternal format, meaning its card pool reaches back through Magic's history.
Cards like Lightning Bolt, Counterspell, Brainstorm, Snuff Out, Galvanic Blast, and Cast Down are all legal in Pauper and can have a huge impact on the game. These aren't watered-down versions of powerful Magic cards—they are some of the most efficient spells ever printed.
Decks can be fast, disruptive and highly competitive, and learning to use these powerful commons effectively is a big part of mastering the format.
A Diverse Metagame
One of the most fun aspects of Pauper is the variety of decks you can play, and expect to face.
The format supports established decks across every major archetype, from aggro, midrange, tempo, combo and control. You might be facing a fast creature deck one round and a slow, card-advantage-focused control deck the next.
Games often reward tight play and good decision-making. Knowing when to trade resources, when to commit to the board, and when to hold back a key card can matter—not to mention sideboarding.
Sideboarding Matters
Pauper is played with a 15-card sideboard, and learning how to build and use it effectively is a major part of becoming a better player.
Every deck has its set of strategies and weaknesses, and your 15-card sideboard gives you the tools to adapt to your opponent. Bringing in the right cards can dramatically improve a difficult matchup and turn a game in your favor. But your opponent is doing the same. Sideboarding becomes a game of cat and mouse, as each player tries to anticipate how the other will adapt and find the edge in the next game.
A good sideboard isn't just a collection of answers. Knowing what to take out, what to bring in, and how your plan changes after sideboarding is a skill in itself, and an incredibly fun aspect of the game.
A Format That Keeps Evolving
Pauper isn't a solved format.
Every new Magic set introduces new commons, and occasionally a single card can completely change how an existing deck is built—or make an entirely new strategy possible. New cards can create new archetypes, revive forgotten ones, or force established decks to adapt.
That means the Pauper metagame is constantly moving. There's always another deck to try, another card to discover, and another matchup to learn.
Want to Learn More?
Watch some of the best players in the world and get inspired! These channels are a great place to start:
- Mengu's Workshop — competitive Magic gameplay and analysis from the legendary Andrea Mengucci.
- Tolarian Community College — The Professor's introduction to Pauper is a great starting point if you're completely new to the format.
- Paupergeddon — watch high-level Pauper competition and see how the format is played at one of its biggest events.
- Bristol Pauper League — gameplay from the Bristol Pauper community, offering a great way to watch the format in action and learn from experienced players.
And, of course, the best way to learn Pauper is to join an event and play! Browse upcoming events.
August 2026
