FORMAT
Scarwood is an old-frame constructed format using expansion sets from The Dark through Scourge, plus Portal and Portal Second Age. Core sets are excluded. All Reserved List cards are banned.
The format aims to capture the high-powered, experimental character of late-1990s and early-2000s Magic without inheriting either the Reserved List or the most structurally excessive cards of the 1993–94 era.
Unlike Premodern and Middle School, Scarwood moves the early boundary back to The Dark while excluding core sets; unlike other Old Frame formats, it does not include the 1993–94 expansions.
Why have another Retro Format?
Premodern has become widely popular because players enjoy the early-Magic aesthetic, closed card pool, and lack of the “complexity creep” present in modern Magic design.
Unfortunately, Premodern is becoming a victim of its own success. Many archetype-defining Premodern cards are on the Reserved List and will never be reprinted. Over time, staple decks may become inaccessible to new players who can’t afford to spend thousands on old cardboard.
The Scarwood card pool is large enough to support familiar strategies such as Goblins, Madness, Sligh, Psychatog and White Weenie, while unbanned cards such as Force of Will, Flash, Necropotence, High Tide, Entomb, and Worldgorger Dragon can open space for archetypes that do not exist in Premodern.
Card Pool
LEGAL SETS
Expansion sets from The Dark through Scourge, plus Portal and Portal Second Age.
EXCLUDED
Core sets and every card on the Reserved List.
Browse every legal card
Use the Scarwood card search, or open the underlying Scryfall query directly.
-is:reserved ((date>=1994-08-08 date<=2003-05-26 st:expansion) or set:por or set:p02)SEARCH SCARWOOD CARDS OPEN IN SCRYFALL ↗
Reprint Policy
Any printing of a legal card can be played: modern frame, full art, Secret Lair, or otherwise.
Naturally, the gorgeous old-frame look is a big appeal of the card pool, but individual aesthetic taste is left up to the player.
Acceptance of unofficial playtest cards or Gold Border WCD printings is at the discretion of tournament organizers.
Scarwood follows all current-day Magic: The Gathering rules conventions. There is no combat damage on the stack, mana burn, or other historical rules baggage.