The Stack is played using the rules of Type 4, also known as Limited Infinity. Gameplay is defined by each player having access to unlimited quantities of all mana colors and types at all times (including Colorless and Snow mana) but a player can only cast one spell each turn, with some exceptions. The Stack can be played as 1v1 or multiplayer with ideally 4 players.

1. Each player begins the game with 20 life in group games (3 players or more) and 30 life in 1v1 games.
2. Each player has a starting hand size of 7 cards and a max hand size of 7 cards.
3. Each player has unlimited quantities of all mana colors and types at all times (including Colorless and Snow mana).
4. A player can only cast one spell on each player’s turn, including their own.
5. A player can cast spells using an alternate cost for "free", meaning the spell will not count against that player's spell limit for the turn. This would be spells that are not cast for their Converted Mana Cost (CMC or Mana Value) or are cast without paying their mana cost. A player can cast any number of free spells per turn. Examples under the Free Spells section below.
6. If two activated abilities create an infinite loop, tie goes to the second ability activated in the loop (a.k.a. the responding ability). Examples under Infinite Loops section below.

These are spells that will not count against your one spell per turn limit. This would be spells that are not cast for their Converted Mana Cost (CMC or Mana Value) or are cast without paying their mana cost.

1. Scenario - My hand consists of the following cards:

I can play each of these cards without using my spell limit for the turn by casting them using their alternate costs. Hidden Dragonslayer can be cast facedown as a morph creature. Bringer of the Red Dawn can be cast for as an alternate cost. Mulldrifter can be cast for evoke (he will be sacrificed due to evoke, but free draw!). Counterflux can be used to defend my board from removal or my spells from opposing counters when cast using overload.

1. Example Non-keyword Free Spells:

1. Example Free Spell Keywords: Flashback, Morph, Encore, Overload, Dash, Surge, Suspend, Cycling

Because mana is unlimited, there are some activated abilities (that don't require a tap as part of the cost) which can be used an infinite number of times. This can cause two abilities to cause an infinite loop of players activating the ability. The general rule of thumb is the second ability activated (a.k.a. the responding ability) will prevail. Below are scenarios to help address these loops.

1. Scenario A: Deepfire Elemental targets Armored Guardian with its ability to destroy a creature. Armored Guardian responds by attempting to gain protection from black. At that time, Deepfire Elemental could target Armored Guardian again and Armored Guardian would again respond by trying to gain protection from black. This would create an infinite loop. As Armored Guardian was the second ability activated, Armored Guardian's ability would prevail and he would gain protection from black and live.
2. Scenario B: Armored Guardian is targeted by Assassin's Trophy. Armored Guardian responds by attempting to gain protection from black. Deepfire Elemental responds by targeting Armored Guardian with its ability to destroy a creature. Armored Guardian responds by attempting to gain protection from black. At that time, Deepfire Elemental could target Armored Guardian again. This would create an infinite loop. As Deepfire Elemental was the second ability activated in the loop, it would prevail and destroy Armored Guardian.

The Stack can be drafted in many ways. All cards drafted are played since meeting mana requirements is not an issue.

1. You can take a random pile of 45 cards and call it a deck. With no need for mana producing lands, this is a quick and easy way to jump into a game.
2. Booster Draft - Standard drafting process
3. Rochester Draft - Good for learning important picks when playing with experienced players.
4. Winston Draft - Once a pile reaches 5 or more cards, it is shuffled into the draft stack and a new card is flipped over.
5. Winchester Draft - Winston draft that is face up instead.
6. Fat Stack - Where the Stack originally got its name. Players share a single deck of cards (second deck is not needed).
7. Back Draft - Draft the worst deck possible for your opponent.

Below are some examples of archetypes available in the Stack. Note: it may not be possible to build a deck entirely around a single archetype so it is important to find balance.

• Creature Cheat - Cheating creatures into play from your hand. This archetype looks to flood the board with creatures without using your spell limit. This also makes it more difficult for opponents to counter the creatures entering the battlefield. Cards to look for:

• Reanimation - Cheating your creatures into play from your graveyard. This has a strong overlap with Creature Cheat decks so it can be good to pair together. The main component to look for here is effects you can use to mill yourself and return your creatures from the grave to the battlefield. Cards to look for:

• Mill - Emptying your opponent's library. This is a small archetype so you'll want to use it as only part of your strategy, while still drafting value creatures and spells. Also remember that milling yourself can create card advantage for you if your deck utilizes the graveyard. Cards to look for:

• Spells - This is an archetype you will regularly build into with the Stack as it includes some of the highest value generating cards. Players will always want to draft instant speed spells so this archetype tries to get additional value out of those cards by allowing for increased draw, copying spells, or generating tokens. Cards to look for:

The Stack is full of many combos and interactions that can generate a significant card advantage or even instantly win a game. Below are just some of the interactions you'll come across.

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With Soul of Innistrad on the battlefield, flood the field with Pack Rats by constantly returning creatures from your grave to hand with Soul of Innistrad and discarding them to Pack Rat.

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With Soul of Innistrad on the battlefield, evoke Cloudthresher for free at instant speed, then after it has died, return it to your hand from your grave with Soul of Innistrad and repeat. Need to have more life than your opponents since the damage from Cloudthresher is symmetrical.

or

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Only eliminates a single player but its a strong combo for dealing infinite damage.

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Lets you draw as much as you want for free. Also works with any other free instant or sorcery draw spells.

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Deals 24 damage to each opponent.

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Deals 18 damage to all players.

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Give Masticore lifelink and target itself then regenerate each time for infinite life gain.

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Use Rummaging Wizard to fill your graveyard then play Sedris, the Traitor King and unearth each creature.

1. The Stack has a heavy focus on tempo. Well timed counters and threats can win, even through your opponent's card advantage.
2. Instant speed cards are very important to maximizing your play. This includes instants, creatures with flash, or abilities like cycling. Since at least half of your window to cast spells is on your opponent's turn (more than half in multiplayer games), you want to make sure you are using that time with instant speed cards.
3. Build around an archetype but still find balance so you are not stuck with too many dead cards in hand at any given time.
4. Draft draw spells. Gaining card advantage and refilling your hand is important.
5. Hold priority when activating abilities multiple times to guarantee you get the number of activations you need. Split Second is in the Stack and it is good at disrupting plans.

Q: Why don't you have tutors (search effects) in the Stack?
A: There are multiple reasons:

1. Tutors slow down the pace of the game by constantly searching and shuffling.
2. The Stack has many very strong cards and it is already difficult to narrow it down to 720. Adding tutor effects would dilute the quality of cards in the Stack.
3. There are many draw effects in the Stack that help to get more resources.

Q: Is there a more accurate value tracker for the Stack list?
A: Yes! You can view it here.

Cards that are too powerful for the current power level of the Stack. Cards are known to come off this list and be added to the Stack as newer cards become available that increase the number of options to deal with them. Additionally, some cards may be moved to the 1v1 Banned List when found to be acceptable for 4 player group games.

These are cards that are part of the Stack list for the purpose of 4 player group games but are too high of power level or unfun for 1v1 games. Simply remove these cards before drafting for 1v1 games. This list is subject to change as the power level of the Stack grows.