If you're getting into Magic: The Gathering in Australia, one of the first decisions you'll face is which format to play. Commander and Standard are the two most popular options — and they offer completely different experiences. Here's an honest breakdown to help you decide.
What Is Standard?
Standard is a rotating format that uses cards from the most recent 2–3 years of Magic sets. The card pool is smaller and changes regularly as older sets "rotate out." It's the format closest to what you see at your local game store's Friday Night Magic (FNM) events.
Standard is ideal if you enjoy competitive play, staying current with the meta, and building tight, efficient decks. However, because cards rotate out, you'll need to reinvest periodically to stay competitive.
What Is Commander?
Commander (also known as EDH — Elder Dragon Highlander) is a multiplayer format where you build a 100-card singleton deck around a Legendary Creature as your "Commander." It's the most popular casual format in Australia and worldwide.
Commander games are typically 4-player free-for-all, last 60–90 minutes, and reward creative deckbuilding over pure optimization. Cards never rotate in Commander, which makes it a much more stable investment — your cards hold value longer.
Key Differences at a Glance
Cost: Commander decks can range from $50 to thousands, but a solid mid-power deck costs $150–300 AUD and lasts years. Standard decks typically cost $200–500 AUD but depreciate as cards rotate.
Social Experience: Commander is fundamentally multiplayer and social. Standard is 1-on-1 and competitive.
Complexity: Commander has a much larger card pool (all Magic sets ever printed) and more complex game states. Standard is more accessible to newer players.
Local Scene: Most Australian game stores run Commander nights and Standard FNM events. Commander nights are generally more casual and welcoming to newer players.
Which Format Should You Choose?
If you're new to MTG and want to play socially with friends, Commander is almost always the better starting point. The format is forgiving, doesn't require you to chase competitive cards, and the community is welcoming.
If you're competitive at heart and enjoy building optimal decks, tracking the meta, and competing at FNM-level events, Standard might be your format.
Many Australian players do both — Commander for casual game nights, and Standard for competitive events. We stock singles for both formats at HOKO Collectables. Browse our MTG singles to start building your deck.