Evolve Format
Evolve Format Rules and Ban List
Evolve Format
Evolve is a Magic: The Gathering commander format designed for 1v1 casual play. Decks are built normally, but the unique rules and ban list set this format apart. The high life totals and dual commanders create dynamic and evolving games.
Play Rules
- Players begin the game with 50 life.
- No attacks during first 10 turns.
- The maximum and starting hand size in a game of Evolve is 7.
- Players may have two commanders. Both commanders must be killed to win the game.
- It's a 1v1 format, but players agree to rule zero any established over-busted cards, combos, or excessive tutors. Max total salt level on EDHREC is 30
- Note no Sol Ring and no Rhystic Study.
- Mulligan Rules:
- Players may take a mulligan if dissatisfied with their initial hand.
- The starting player declares whether they will take a mulligan first. Then, each other player in turn order does the same.
- All players who decided to take mulligans do so at the same time, shuffling their hand back into their library and drawing a new hand equal to their starting hand size.
- In a two-player game, only the non-starting player may choose to take a second mulligan if desired.
- Commanders:
- Players may have up to two commanders in their deck.
- Both commanders must be killed once if cast during first 10 turns (sent to the graveyard or exile, not to the command zone) for a player to lose.
- Combat Damage:
- Each commander deals combat damage separately. Combat damage from either commander counts towards the total 21 commander damage required for a win.
- Tutor Restrictions:
- Excessive tutors are discouraged to maintain the fast-paced nature of the format. Players should agree on acceptable tutor limits before the game.
- No Infinite Combos:
- Infinite combos that create an immediate win condition are discouraged. Players should rule zero any infinite combo that feels overly oppressive.
- Turn Time Limit:
- To keep the pace fast, each player's turn should not exceed 5 minutes. Players may agree to a shorter or longer turn time limit as desired.
- Evolving Turns:
- After turn 20, all players draw an additional card during their draw step.
- After turn 20, all players may play an additional land during their turn.
- After turn 20, all creatures gain haste.
- Optional Dynamic Mana:
- Players can cast one spell per game without paying its mana cost. This rule resets after both players have used it.
- Optional Surprise Commanders:
- Players may switch one of their commanders with a different one from their deck at the beginning of each game, keeping it hidden until cast.
- Optional Mystery Card:
- Each player starts the game with a face-down mystery card from outside the game. This card can be revealed and played at any time for its regular mana cost.
Evolve Banlist
In addition to the Legacy banlist, the following cards are also banned in Evolve:
1 Atraxa, Praetors' Voice
1 Edgar Markov
1 Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
1 Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines
1 Emrakul, the Promised End
1 Grand Arbiter Augustin IV
1 Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur
1 Jin-Gitaxias, Progress Tyrant
1 Koma, Cosmos Serpent
1 Korvold, Fae-Cursed King
1 Narset, Enlightened Master
1 Sen Triplets
1 Sheoldred, the Apocalypse
1 Tergrid, God of Fright
1 Toxrill, the Corrosive
1 Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger
1 Urza, Lord High Artificer
1 Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider
1 Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger
1 Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow
- Archive Trap
- Ancient Tomb
- Chain Lightning
- Sol Ring
- Rhystic Study
- Cyclonic Rift
- Fast Mana Rocks:
- Mox Diamond
- Chrome Mox
- Mana Crypt
- Mana Vault
- Grim Monolith
- Extra Turn Spells:
- Time Walk
- Temporal Manipulation
- Time Warp
- Capture of Jingzhou
- Beacon of Tomorrows
- Only 1 of following permitted:
- Demonic Tutor
- Vampiric Tutor
- Enlightened Tutor
- Mystical Tutor
- Worldly Tutor
- Mass Land Destruction:
- Armageddon
- Ravages of War
- Cataclysm
- Jokulhaups
- Decree of Annihilation
- Stax Pieces:
- Winter Orb
- Static Orb
- Stasis
- Trinisphere
- Tangle Wire
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