Self-contained formats package the entire game into a single box: quick to set up, easy to bring to the table, and built for repeat play without needing additional decks or prep.

Two years ago, I published an article going over 14 self-contained Magic formats. I just published a follow-up article covering even more formats, including things like autobattler, alternate win conditions, and some very strange shared-deck experiments. Curious about your experiences and what else is out there that I’ve missed.

TL;DR Here are the formats in the article, grouped into 5 overlapping categories:

Rules Modified

• Basic Land Game
• Crucible (Autobattler)
• ToolBox
• Oracle's Response
• Oracle's Folly
• Party Box

Shared Deck

• Blue Herring
• Red Herring
• BaubBob
• Pass the Crag

I touch on 20 more in the article

Alternate Win Condition

• Barren Glory
• Hedron Alignment
• Bombdan

Player vs Environment

I go over several cooperative variants with dungeon masters or automated enemies.

On the border of cube and self-contained format

I explore the world of micro-cubes