The basic concept is simple: make a deck consisting of any three Magic cards, and try to beat all the other decks! If you're new here, you should start by reading the
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DeckbuildingEach player creates a deck of three Magic cards following the banned list, and any additional restrictions imposed by the current format. (See Round Types below.) Decks are submitted to me via private message with "3CM" and "Deck" somewhere in the title. My deck is finalized before reading these PMs; if you'd like me to send you a verification PM with my list in it, just ask. You may update your decklist up until the deadline. (Unless you've asked me to share my list with you.)
If you send me a deck that can't win against a deck with three blank cards, I'll ask you to confirm that you're aware of this fact. This rule exists to prevent people from accidentally submitting decks that don't work, while still allowing
Karn Liberated decks and other such shenanigans.
GameplayAfter the round is closed, each deck plays against each other deck twice, once going first and once going second. Normal Magic rules apply to a game of 3CM, except for the following exceptions.
- Players don't lose the game for drawing from an empty library.
- If the original source of a random effect (i.e. coinflip) comes from one player's deck, the other player chooses its outcome.
- Effects that get cards from outside the game (Wishes, Research // Development, Ring of Ma'ruf) cannot be used to find anything.
Games are played with the contents of both decks known to each player at all times. Players will always play optimally and to win.
ScoringWhen the round is closed, a spreadsheet of all the decks and matchups is posted, to be filled in by the players. Players are encouraged to double-check the matchups graded by other players, since mistakes are often made when complicated decks are involved. A win is worth 3 points, a draw is 1 point, and a loss is 0 points.
Round TypesA season consists of four rounds: two vanilla and two alternate formats.
Vanilla: These rounds follow normal rules, but have a banned list that changes every season.
Alternate Formats: These rounds use special rules that might effect deckbuilding, gameplay, or both!
Fabulous PrizesWhen a round is done being graded, prizes are awarded! Grand Prizes are given out at the end of the season.
Round Prizes: The winner of each round may suggest an alternate format (in either category) to be put on the poll next season.
Consolation Prizes: The lowest-scoring player of each Vanilla round picks one card from that round's winning deck to add to the next season's Vanilla banned list.
Grand Prizes: The top-scoring players of the entire season each get to make some number of changes to the Vanilla banned list, based on their rank. Each change allows that player to either add a card or remove a card. First place gets three changes, second place gets two, and third place gets one. Note: A card may not be unbanned if it was newly banned at the start of the season.
Tiebreakers1. Head-to-head: Whoever has the most points from games against other the other tied player(s) wins the tie.
2. Match-Wins: Whoever won the most games wins the tie. (Ignore draws.)
Your average match points for each round are summed together to generate your score.
You can play any basic land card from outside the game any time you could normally play a land. (Vanilla banned list, plus some extras.)