Each player uses three packs and picks two cards at a time. Pass left, then right, then left. Build at least 60 cards including commanders, add basic lands, and follow the MBC-specific commander rules.
New-card format dates
- Commander
- Legacy · Vintage · other Eternal
These dates apply to the new MBC cards; existing reprints retain their established eligibility, and banned lists still apply. What’s Inside Mystery Booster Commander Edition?
Constructed Commander vs MBC Draft rules
| Rule / setup | Constructed Commander baseline | MBC Commander Draft |
|---|---|---|
| Cards / pool | Bring a constructed deck | Three boosters per player; choose two per pick |
| Deck size | 100, unless explicitly modified | At least 60 including commanders |
| Duplicates | Singleton, basic lands / explicit exceptions aside | Duplicates from the drafted pool allowed |
| Partner | Follow the actual commander abilities | Eligible commanders with ≤1 identity color can gain the specified partner treatment |
| Rulebreaker / 903.5e | Only the designated commander’s stated permission | Apply the stated permission with MBC Draft instructions |
Original summaries for comparison; consult the linked official documents for authoritative wording. MBC Release NotesCommander formatMBC Update Bulletin
Before players open their packs
Prepare three packs per player, a supply of basic lands, a place for each player’s drafted pool, and a shared copy of the official instructions. The published format is optimized for eight drafters who then split into two four-player games. Make the rules discussion part of setup: explain the pick procedure, deck size, duplicate allowance, and how commanders will be chosen. This is also a good point to agree how the group will approach playtest interactions and where to look up a disputed instruction.
Drafting and building
Take two cards from each pack before passing the remainder. Reverse direction for pack two, then return to the first direction for pack three. Your pool and added basic lands supply a deck of at least 60 cards, including commanders; duplicate cards are allowed. Eligible commanders with at most one color and without partner may be treated as having partner for this draft. The official notes also describe fallback color-identity arrangements when the pool lacks suitable commanders. Read that procedure before using it, rather than inventing a replacement commander.
A practical table checklist
Keep your drafted pool separate from cards you brought from home, announce your commanders and any permitted color choices before the game, and count the finished deck. With two commanders, track commander tax and commander damage for each separately. After the draft, label the saved list as an MBC Draft deck so its exceptions are not mistaken for a Constructed deck’s permissions. When planning a future session, note what slowed setup down: missing lands, unclear pairings, or unresolved card interactions are actionable improvements for the next table.
Pack planning for your group
Multiply the player count by three before buying draft supplies. For the suggested eight-player setup, that is 24 packs. Keep basic lands and sleeves on your preparation list as separate items, and confirm whether the host or players will bring them.
How the draft differs from Constructed
The ordinary Constructed Commander baseline is a 100-card singleton deck, except for basic lands and explicit permissions. MBC Draft instead uses a minimum of 60 cards including commanders and permits duplicates from the drafted pool. The two-card pick procedure and the special commander arrangements are also part of the Limited format. A saved MBC Draft list is therefore not ready for a Constructed event merely because it has a commander. Use the comparison table to check deck size, duplicates and partner permissions before moving a list from one context to the other.
Selecting commanders when the pool is awkward
The release notes allow eligible commanders with at most one color and without partner to be treated as having partner in this draft. They also describe fallback color choices when suitable commanders are missing. A single monocolored commander can support the specified additional-color arrangement; in the exceptional no-suitable-commander case, the procedure permits a two-color deck without a card in the command zone. Announce the permitted choices before play. Follow the published conditions carefully: this is a way to make the drafted pool playable, not a general invitation to choose arbitrary extra colors for any commander.
Rulebreaker and ordinary game tracking
Rule 903.5e supports a designated commander’s Rulebreaker permission during deck construction. Apply the actual card’s words alongside the draft procedure; do not invent extra permissions from the ability word alone. Once play begins, keep the normal separate records for two commanders, including tax and commander damage. If a rules question involves Tolabow, use the corrected color-identity wording identified in the Update Bulletin. If it involves meld or double-faced interactions, check the current Rule 713 and related sections. A draft-specific setup does not make printed errors or outdated rules summaries authoritative.
Dates and a complete eight-player setup
Eight players need 24 boosters at three each, matching the pack count of one MBC box. Allow time for drafting, deck construction and two multiplayer games rather than scheduling only the matches. New-card Commander legality begins November 13, 2026 and other Eternal legality January 1, 2027; those Constructed milestones should not be used to erase the Limited rules for an authorized MBC event. Verify your event’s actual availability with the organizer. Before a home session, check that packs, basic lands, sleeves and the rules reference are ready and that everyone understands the playtest-card context.
Official sources and card references
- MBC Release NotesWizards of the Coast
- What’s Inside Mystery Booster Commander Edition?Wizards of the Coast
- Commander formatWizards of the Coast
- MBC Update BulletinWizards of the Coast
Sources reviewed October 23, 2026. Follow the official links for subsequent changes; stock and delivery are not monitored.