There are so many formats available that I added this section to explain what each one is. As formats are updated and added I will try to keep this as up to date as possible. If you have any other questions about each format, then send me an email through the mailing list.
Core Constructed
Core is a constructed tournament format. Constructed means that prior to the tournament, players create a deck out of their card collections to play in the tournament. Out of the main Constructed formats Cryptozoic offers, Core is the more new player friendly. Core format uses cards from the last three blocks (and a few other cards that are released alongside those blocks). This means that a new player has a better chance at finding cards they need to build a core deck. In addition to having a smaller, more accessible card pool, Core matches use best-of-one game play. Each round in a core format consists of one game, so the tournament pacing is faster. Typically, small Core tournaments last no more then 2-3 hours.To create a Core legal tournament deck, players must choose a Hero and build a 60 card deck that follows deckbuilding rules outlined in Section 100 of the Comprehensive Rules. These rules include:
- Using no more then 4 of a specific card
- Making sure you match your Hero's faction to your allies
- Making sure that your Hero's class matches abilities and equipment you play in your deck
- Following any Hero-specific deck building restrictions
Block Constructed
Block is a constructed tournament format. Constructed means that prior to the tournament, players create a deck out of their card collections to play in the tournament. Block format uses cards only from the last current block (There are 3 sets per block). This means that a new player has a better chance at finding cards they need to build a block deck. The current block contains the sets Worldbreaker, War of the Elements & Twilight of the Dragons.To create a Block legal tournament deck, players must choose a Hero and build a 60 card deck that follows deckbuilding rules outlined in Section 100 of the Comprehensive Rules. These rules include:
- Using no more then 4 of a specific card
- Making sure you match your Hero's faction to your allies
- Making sure that your Hero's class matches abilities and equipment you play in your deck
- Following any Hero-specific deck building restrictions
Classic Constructed
Classic is a constructed tournament format. Constructed means that prior to the tournament, players create a deck out of their card collections to play in the tournament. There is no restriction to what cards players may use. All Classic tournaments may use either best-of-one or best-of-three game play. This format is slightly harder for new players, because some cards necessary for a deck strategy may have been out of print for some number of years.To create a Classic legal tournament deck, players must choose a Hero and build a 60 card deck, plus a 10 card side deck, that follows deckbuilding rules outlined in Section 100 of the Comprehensive Rules. These rules include:
- Using no more then 4 of a specific card
- Making sure you match your Hero's faction to your allies
- Making sure that your Hero's class matches abilities and equipment you play in your deck
- Following any Hero-specific deck building restrictions
Booster Draft
Booster Draft is a limited format and one of the best ways to learn the strengths of cards in WoW TCG.We use 3 boosters per player. Packs are opened one at a time and players take turn choosing a card each without revealing them. Going clockwise on the 1st and 3rd packs (pass right) and anti-clockwise on the 2nd (pass left). Hence the order is Right-Left-Right for the 3 packs.
You are only allowed to use only one primary faction (Horde or Alliance) and only one class. The exception to this is sets that have Heroes with Specific deck building rules.
Decks that you make from Draft have to be a minimum of 30 cards, but there is no maximum deck size. In the event that a player do not have enough cards to make a legal deck, he / she must add non-legal cards of other faction / classes to form a 30 card deck, but these cards can only be played as a face-down resource.
Sealed Deck
Sealed Deck is a format where each player is given a set number of boosters to open. Using cards from those boosters and those boosters only, players create a 30-card deck. Players choose a hero from all sets that are being used in that tournament. This format is a good way for new players to get into the game for a number of reasons. Since players can't bring pre-constructed decks to this tournament, veteran players that may have many more cards don't have an advantage over new players. At Sealed Deck tournaments, players keep the cards that they played with. This is a great way for new players to start or restart their collections.Two Pack Sealed
Two-pack is a very casual way to play the World of Warcraft TCG. Each player receives two booster packs. They remove the crafting material cards, loot cards and the hero cards. Once the loot and crafting materials are removed, players choose a Hero from the two they opened, shuffle up all other cards without looking at them and play. It's that simple. Sometimes players may open loot in place of the two heroes. In that case, the Organizer will randomly assign that player a Hero from the booster sets being used in the tournament. Organizers decide how often players get one to two new packs. It can be after every round, or with any other frequency.Arena Grand Melee
Arena Grand Melee adds some exciting content including a new twist on standard play. For example, if “For the Fallen!” is flipped, players can act out their weapon strikes to draw additional cards. Or when “Steamwheedle Casino” is flipped, all players set their hands aside and play a quick game of Black Jack using their WoW TCG cards, with the winner receiving an extra card. Players each bring a deck from their own CORE World of Warcraft TCG collection and use a shared stack of Grand Melee cards to recreate the chaos that happens when battling in the arena!As it is a Free-For-All everyone at the table is considered an enemy, but be careful how you play as you might draw the focus of a few players! You can propose combat with any of the other player's parties, as there are no friendlies in this game!
Free For All Constructed
This format is the same as Core Constructed. The only difference is that instead of playing multiple opponents, everyone participates in one game. Normally we have 5 players per table for this format, the winners from each table then play against each other in a finals match.Two Headed Ogre Draft
This format is the same as Booster Draft. The difference being teams of 2 are formed after players have been allocated seats for the draft. The rules for playing as a team of 2 apply for this format.Raid Constructed
This format is where players are broken into teams of 3 to play against a Raid Boss player. Raids that we use usually revolve around the latest raids (ie. Naxxramas and Icecrown Citadel).Lazy Peon Constructed
Lazy Peon is a Constructed Format. To create a Lazy Peon deck you can only include common and uncommon cards (white and green rarity colours). Rare and Epic cards are not allowed to be used for this format.Dedicated Few Constructed
Dedicated Few is a Constructed Format. To create a Dedicated Few deck, you can only include 1 of any card in your deck. This is different from a standard constructed deck (which can have 4 of any card maximum).Turnabout is Fairplay Constructed
Want to see if other players can handle your latest, craziest deck idea? Turnabout is Fair Play gives you the chance to find out! When you prepare for a Turnabout event, you’ll build a Constructed deck of your choice. Then, at the beginning of each round, you’ll hand it over to your opponent. The first game of every match requires each player to use his or her opponent’s deck, making this format a deckbuilder’s dream and a potential nightmare for the opposition! Games 2 and 3 are then played with your original deck so you can show your opponent how it’s done.This format gives you the perfect chance to whip out that killer strategy that you think only you can play. Riffle shuffling is banned to keep your cards safe, and the challenge here is really two-fold. First, how do you approach the event? Do you build a deck that you know you can play well, or do you go with something offbeat just to get that game 1 win? Second, how are you going to adapt to whatever your opponent forces you to use? This is one of the most difficult formats you can compete in, but if you really know your archetypes and strategies, you’ll be able to outplay all comers. Want variety? Turnabout is Fair Play is the only format where you could play a totally different deck every round.