MTG Arena FAQ: Codes, Best Decks, Formats and More

Answers to the most common questions about MTG Arena and MTG Arena Zone: the metagame, the best decks, codes, formats, cards and more. Updated regularly.

What is MTG Arena Zone?

MTG Arena Zone (mtgazone.com) is one of the largest Magic: The Gathering Arena content sites. It publishes metagame tier lists, deck guides, a searchable card database with prices and legalities, set spoilers, and a regularly updated list of MTG Arena codes.

What is MTG Arena?

Magic: The Gathering Arena (MTG Arena or MTGA) is the official free-to-play digital version of Magic: The Gathering, made by Wizards of the Coast. You collect cards, build decks, and play other people online across formats like Standard, Historic and Timeless.

Is MTG Arena free to play?

Yes, MTG Arena is completely free to download and play. You earn cards and in-game currency (gold and gems) through play, daily quests and events, and can optionally buy packs or bundles.

What are the best decks in MTG Arena right now?

The best decks shift as the metagame changes, so we rank them in continuously updated tier lists per format: Standard, Historic, Timeless, Explorer and Alchemy. Tier 1 decks are the strongest current choices.

How do I redeem MTG Arena codes?

Open MTG Arena, click the Store, enter the code in the Redeem Code box and confirm. See our up to date list of working MTG Arena codes. Most are case sensitive and some expire, so redeem them promptly.

Where can I find MTG card prices and legalities?

Our card database lists every Magic card with its oracle text, mana cost, type, rarity, current prices and the formats it is legal in. Search by card name to see it all on one page.

What formats can I play in MTG Arena?

MTG Arena offers Standard, Alchemy, Historic, Explorer, Timeless and Brawl, each in Best-of-One and Best-of-Three. Standard and Alchemy use only recent sets, while Historic, Timeless and Explorer allow much larger card pools.

What is the difference between Best-of-One and Best-of-Three?

Best-of-One (Bo1) is a single game with no sideboarding, and MTG Arena uses a hand smoother on your opening draw. Best-of-Three (Bo3) is a match of up to three games where you can swap in sideboard cards between games. Tier lists are often split by Bo1 and Bo3 because the best decks differ.

How do I get more cards and wildcards in MTG Arena?

You get cards by opening packs, which you earn from the Mastery track, daily and weekly quests and events, or buy with gold and gems. Wildcards from packs let you craft any card of that rarity, so spend them on staples that show up across many decks.

Are MTG Arena Zone's decks and guides free?

Yes. All of our decklists, tier lists, metagame reports and guides are free to read. An optional Premium membership removes ads and adds perks, but no content is paywalled.

How often is the metagame and tier list updated?

We update our tier lists and metagame data continuously as new results come in, so the rankings reflect the current best decks rather than a fixed snapshot.

How can I get better at MTG Arena?

Pick one strong meta deck and play it consistently to learn its lines, study matchups in our tier lists and deck guides, and keep up with the metagame so you can predict what you will face on the ladder.