Format

**Formats** are different modes and rulesets that Key of Ijzeria can be played with. Each format will have its own rules for deck construction and may included rules which alter gameplay.

Formats are divided into two categories; Constructed and Limited.

* **Constructed formats** - "Constructed" refers to formats where players make their deck before the game begins. Constructed formats will detail what cards can be used to make decks far in advance of the deckbuilding process.
* **Limited formats** - "Limited" refers to formats which involves a special pool of cards, which are then distributed to players who then build their decks on the spot. Limited formats test deckbuilding skills, as well as gameplay proficiency.

Currently, there are five official formats.

## Official Constructed Formats

### Vanilla

Vanilla is a constructed format which follows all the normal 1v1 rules of Key of Ijzeria, and allows players to construct their decks using cards from main expansions. Currently, the only expansion available to play in Vanilla is the base expansion, Hello, World!

### Mocha

Mocha is a constructed format which follows all the normal 1v1 rules of Key of Ijzeria, and allows players to construct their decks using all Key of Ijzeria cards available. Currently, this includes Hello, World!, Champion Collection: Twisted Shapes, Year of the Tiger Collection, and the Business Card.

### Hydra

Hydra is a constructed multiplayer format where players are sorted into teams, which face-off against each other. The teams can be any number of players, so long as the teams are even, but the suggestion is 2v2.

Hydra has several special rules.

* **Unified Playset** - A team can have only three copies of a card total throughout all the decks on their team. For example, in a 2v2 match, a team could have one copy of Burn in their first deck, and two copies of Burn in their second deck.
* **Unified HP Total** - A team has a unified health point total. This is the only "shared resource". Players on a team don't share permanents, cards, or mana, but they do share their HP. If a player loses HP, their team as a whole has lost that much HP.
* **Unified Win/Loss** - Players win or lose as a team, not as individuals. For example, if a player were to win using the wave card See the Patterns, that player's whole team will win the game. Similarly, if a player were to draw a card from an empty deck, that player's whole team will lose the game. *Special Note:* If an individual player concedes, their team loses. Play does not continue with uneven teams.
* **Unified Information** - Players on a team can see and know all information that any individual on their team sees or knows. Teammates may discuss information and strategy at any time while the game is ongoing, but not in secret.
* **Draw Skip** - The team that takes the first turn skips their first draw.

Although hydra is the most common multiplayer team format, only the 2v2 variant is officially sanctioned. This is due to time constraints and logistical issues.

## Official Limited Formats

### Pack Draft

Pack draft is a limited format where two or more players are given three draft packs, and take turns selecting cards from their packs one at a time, then passing that pack to the next player. The minimum deck size is 35 cards. The suggested number of players for a pack draft is three to six.

Pack Draft is the most popular limited format, not just for **Key of Ijzeria**, but among many card games.

To learn more about Pack Draft, please see the dedicated rules page.

### Sealed Deck

Sealed is a limited format where players are each given four draft packs, and then those players will construct their decks on the spot. The minimum deck size is 35 cards.

Sealed is the second most popular limited format, due to how easy it is to set-up, and the very low barrier to entry. It's a great way to learn how to play without too much commitment or rules.

## Other Recognised Formats

### Commoner

Commoner is a constructed format that follows the normal rules for Key of Ijzeria, except that each card in a player's deck must be common *(common cards are only have one rarity pip in their bottom right corner)*.

Commoner is multiplayer capable, but is mostly played 1v1.

The appeal of commoner is the less complicated gameplay, which makes it more accessible to newer players.

### From the Tower

From the Tower is a limited-constructed hybrid format where both players draw from the same starting deck, known as "the tower". The tower itself must be at least 100 cards, but can be any number of cards, so long as it can be reasonably randomised whenever the game may require. The suggestion is 50 cards per player in the game.

FTT has several special rules and/or clarifications;

* **Deck and Tower** - If something would instruct a player to interact with their deck, that player must perform that action using the tower. If a player is instructed to search their deck, they will search the tower; If a player is instructed to shuffle a card into their deck, they will shuffle that card into the tower; and so on.
* **Ownership and Heaps** - Although each player shares the same deck (the tower), they do not share the same heap. Once a card is drawn into a player's hand, that card is considered a card that the player "owns", and when it is put into a heap, it will be put into the heap of the player who most recently moved that card from the tower into a different zone.
* **Searching** - The rules for searching a deck are the same, except that only the first 100 cards of the tower can be searched. If there are more than 100 cards in the tower at the time of the search, the remaining cards are treated as though they don't exist until after the search action is completed. Notably, if a card is put on the bottom of the deck, then it can't be retrieved via search action if it is more than 100 cards from the top, even though each player knows where it is.
* **Deck Out** - Players still lose the game for attempting to draw from an empty deck, it's just that this will be more difficult given the size of the deck.
* **Simultaneous Deck Interactions** - If players are instructed to interact with their deck at the same time, they must perform the required number of interactions in turn order, starting with the player whose turn it currently is. For example; if each player is told to search their deck at the same time, then the first player will perform the entirety of their search action before the next player in turn order will perform the entirety of their search action, and so on. If multiple players are attempting to draw cards from an empty deck, then each player who would do so will lose the game, but in the order in which they are instructed to draw cards; this potentially could make the last player in turn order the winner.

### Intro-Deck

Intro-Deck is a limited-constructed hybrid format. Players effectively build their decks on the spot, yet their decklist will be solidified well in advance.

Each player chooses a key, and plays with a deck composed only of the cards made of that key, from a 120 card set. For example, a player who chose "water" will use a deck composed only of three copies each of the 20 water cards that appeared in the latest 120 card set, for a deck composed of 60 cards. Currently the only 120 card set is **Hello, World!**

## Banned Cards

### Competitive Play

Currently, there are no cards which are banned in any formats which are played competitively.

### Casual Play

Currently, there are no cards which are banned in any formats which are played casually.

## Taboo Cards

Taboo cards are cards whose power level is quite high, and therefore not RECOMMENDED for casual play, even though they are not outright banned. When playing with taboo cards, it is important that each player at the table knows they may appear during gameplay, and is comfortable with them being used.

The following cards are taboo:

1. Year of the Tiger Collection
	1. Red Envelope
		1. Paper Tiger
		2. Paper Firecrackle
		3. Paper Money Rush
	2. Eye of the Tiger
2. Champion Collection: Twisted Shapes
	1. Depths Ne'er to Reach
	2. Heights Once Only Dreamed of
	3. Hate Without Reason
	4. Branches Grown from Bones
	5. Fear the Light that Blinds
	6. Such Easy Prey