Allies: Teamwork & Betrayal

Rules

For this variant you will need 5 players. Each of the player should sit in a circle (or whatever passes for one in your play group). Each person is allied with the two players sitting next to them, and their enemies are the two sitting across from them (much like the Mana Pentagon on the back of a Magic card). You allies are not considered enemies for purposes of spells that specify “target opponent”, though you may attack them.

The sequence of turns follows a “star” pattern. The first player starts, and is followed by their left hand enemy. That player’s left hand enemy goes next, and so forth. Another way to look at it is to move counter clockwise around the table, skipping one player each turn. Each turn follows the normal Magic sequence, differing only in that you may attack as many players as you wish during your attack phase.

The goal of the game is to defeat your two enemies before anyone else accomplishes the goal. Failing that, you may prevent other people from winning the game, and perhaps be the last player standing. This can lead to interesting situations when the first player is removed from the game. For example, when the first players loses, his two enemies are now both trying to win the game by defeating their last enemy, which is a different person for each of them. They will more then likely be trying to prevent the other player, who is their ally, form winning the game, while attempting to win it on their own.

Deck Construction

Use standard deck construction for this variant.

Sideboard

You can have a 15-card sideboard in Constructed and in Limited the cards you don’t use are your sideboard.

Banned & Restricted List

When playing this variant it is usually decided what type you will be playing. So if playing Type 1, Type 1.5, Type 2, or Extended Allies then, follow that format’s Banned and Restricted List.

Mulligan Rules

Standard “Paris” Mulligan is used for this variant.

Before each game begins, a player may, for any reason, reshuffle and redraw his hand, drawing one less card. This may be repeated as often as the player wishes, until he has no cards left in his hand. After the participant, who plays first, mulligans as often as he likes, the decision of whether to mulligan passes to the other player. Once a player passes the opportunity to mulligan, that player may not change his mind.

History

This variant was created by Jason Lauborough.