Siege

Rules

This variant works best for three to six players. By random determination, one player is “under siege.” The player under siege wins if all other players are defeated; the other players form a loose team and win if they defeat the besieged player.

But wait-it’s not as unfair as if sounds. Before the initial draw, the player under siege chooses from the following options (one for each opponent):

In addition to the above advantages, the player under siege also gets a “start-up turn” for every player in the game beyond two. During these extra turns, no player may be attacked by creatures or targeted by spells, but they may be targeted by permanents. Once the start-up turns are done, other players draw their initial hands. No Mulligans are allowed. Play starts with the player under siege and continues to that player’s right.

Now play progress as normal. Allied players may discuss tactics, but communicating specific contents of their hands or decks is prohibited. 

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 you are playing Type 1, Type 1.5, Type 2, or Extended Siege then, follow that format’s Banned and Restricted List.

Mulligan Rules

Only the player “under siege” may take a standard “Paris” Mulligan.

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 is from Duelist #10. It was written by Paul Richardson.