A Critique Of The Frontier Format For Magic: The Gathering

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What is Frontier? Frontier is a casual constructed format, popularized by card store Hareruya games in Japan, which allows allows expansion sets and core sets from Magic 2015 onward. So, in the same vein that the Modern format uses all cards from 8th Edition forward, Frontier is composed of all cards that have been printed in a core or expansion set forwards.

The starting point was largely determined by the shift to the M15 card frame. There currently is no ban list for Frontier. Just as in Standard and Modern, your decks must contain a minimum of sixty cards, with no more than 4 of a single card except for basic lands being allowed, and decks may also use a 15 card sideboard.

Currently, Frontier is brand new, and untested. The most obvious comparison with it is to Modern, with many advocates of the format claiming it solves many of Modern issues, largely in the way of cost.

This video will a critique of the format, however, before I begin I feel it is imperative that I stress that my evaluation of the format is just that: my own. If you disagree with me, if you see things differently, if you flat out think I am wrong, then please say so. There is no correct answer here, least of all my own. Far from it. I am presenting my critique of the format for consideration, and you are both free and encouraged to disagree.

Disagreement and debate is crucial for understanding any complex issue. For example, you may see solutions to the problems I present, and by sharing those solutions contribute to the betterment of this new format and the game. So please, respond to my ideas in the comments of this video knowing that your own ideas are both safe and welcomed here.

Let’s begin with….

Modern.

While comparisons have been made between everything from Tiny Leaders to Commander, I feel strongly that in order to understand Frontier, we must first understand Modern.

The Modern format allows cards from 8th Edition forwards, and is highly, highly popular. One of the defining characteristics of both Frontier and Modern, is that the more they grow, the more decks get added into the environment.

With Modern, since the cardpool is so deep there are just too many answers and options to play. You will never be able to beat everything. There will never be a best deck in the format.
It’s a massive version of rock paper scissors, which a lot of players such as myself love, however, this is one of the main reasons PRO players do not like the format.