2025 MTG Pauper Guide: Build Competitive Decks on a Budget

If you're interested in exploring Magic: The Gathering's most affordable Eternal format, you're in the right place. In this article, I'll provide an in-depth guide to Pauper, one of the most budget-friendly ways to enjoy MTG. Whether you're new to the format or looking to deepen your knowledge, I'll cover everything from what Pauper is all about to the best decks to play. Plus, I’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions to help you navigate this exciting and accessible format. Let’s dive into Pauper and see why it’s becoming a favorite among budget-conscious Magic players!

Table of Contents

What is MTG Pauper?

MTG Pauper is a Magic: The Gathering (MTG) format focused exclusively on cards printed at the common rarity, offering a cost-effective yet highly competitive way to play. Players construct 60-card main decks, with the option of a 15-card sideboard, similar to most constructed formats. This makes Pauper an excellent choice for players seeking strategic gameplay without the high financial investment often associated with formats like Modern or Standard.

Pauper is an eternal format, meaning it includes cards from nearly all of Magic's history. Any card printed at least once as a common in a physical or digital Magic set is legal. For example, iconic commons like [card]Lightning Bolt[/card] and [card]Counterspell[/card] are staples of the format. However, Pauper does have a ban list to maintain balance. Cards such as [card]Gush[/card] and [card]Cloudpost[/card] are banned due to their overwhelming power level in the format.

What cards are Banned in Pauper?

Pauper has a carefully curated ban list to ensure balance and fair gameplay. The format is overseen by the Pauper Format Panel (PFP), a dedicated group tasked with managing bans and maintaining a healthy metagame. These bans address overpowered strategies, game-breaking combos, and cards that negatively impact the player experience.

Below is the complete list of banned cards in Pauper:

  • All cards that bring a sticker or an Attraction into the game.
  • [card]Aarakocra Sneak[/card]
  • [card]All That Glitters[/card]
  • [card]Arcum's Astrolabe[/card]
  • [card]Atog[/card]
  • [card]Bonder's Ornament[/card]
  • [card]Chatterstorm[/card]
  • [card]Cloud of Faeries[/card]
  • [card]Cloudpost[/card]
  • [card]Cranial Plating[/card]
  • [card]Cranial Ram[/card]
  • [card]Daze[/card]
  • [card]Disciple of the Vault[/card]
  • [card]Empty the Warrens[/card]
  • [card]Fall from Favor[/card]
  • [card]Frantic Search[/card]
  • [card]Galvanic Relay[/card]
  • [card]Gitaxian Probe[/card]
  • [card]Grapeshot[/card]
  • [card]Gush[/card]
  • [card]High Tide[/card]
  • [card]Hymn to Tourach[/card]
  • [card]Invigorate[/card]
  • [card]Monastery Swiftspear[/card]
  • [card]Mystic Sanctuary[/card]
  • [card]Peregrine Drake[/card]
  • [card]Prophetic Prism[/card]
  • [card]Sinkhole[/card]
  • [card]Sojourner's Companion[/card]
  • [card]Stirring Bard[/card]
  • [card]Temporal Fissure[/card]
  • [card]Treasure Cruise[/card]
  • [card]Underdark Explorer[/card]
  • [card]Vicious Battlerager[/card]

Top Pauper Decks in 2025

The best-performing Pauper decks for 2025 include Affinity, Burn, Mono-Blue Faeries, and Broodscale Combo.

Grixis Affinity

Affinity continues to dominate the Pauper format, utilizing powerful artifact synergies and card advantage. The combination of [card]Deadly Dispute[/card] and [card]Ichor Wellspring[/card] generates consistent value, while lands like [card]Drossforge Bridge[/card] resist removal. Efficient threats like [card]Myr Enforcer[/card] help close games quickly, making it a top contender in the meta.

Burn

Despite the ban on [card]Monastery Swiftspear[/card], 2024 was a strong year for Burn, with several new cards enhancing its speed and power. Burn thrives in fast-paced games, using low-cost spells like [card]Kuldotha Rebirth[/card] and [card]Goblin Bushwhacker[/card] to quickly deal damage and finish off opponents. Its ability to close games fast keeps it a staple in competitive Pauper.

Mono-Blue Delver

Mono-Blue has proven to be a strong meta choice, especially in leagues where mono-red strategies are common. Running up to eight copies of [card]Hydroblast[/card] gives you a significant edge in those matchups. Overall, the deck excels with its counterspells and threats like [card]Tolarian Terror[/card], allowing it to hold its own against a wide range of opponents.

Broodscale Combo

The [card]Basking Broodscale[/card] and [card]Sadistic Glee[/card] combo has made a big impact since its introduction. This combo offers a simple and cost-effective way to generate an infinite-power creature and infinite mana, giving players multiple paths to victory. Its low cost and combo potential make it a key player in the current Pauper meta.

What Are the Best Pauper Decks for Beginners?

For beginners in the Pauper format, the best starting deck is often mono-black. This midrange deck is versatile, allowing new players to learn the basics of Pauper while competing effectively against many common strategies. Mono-black’s balanced approach avoids extreme matchups, making it an excellent entry point into the format.

While some recommend mono-red as a beginner-friendly choice due to its straightforward, aggressive playstyle, it may not fully showcase Pauper’s depth. However, if you want a faster introduction to competitive play, mono-red can be a great alternative to bypass the learning curve. Both options provide accessible and engaging ways to dive into the Pauper format.

How Affordable Are Pauper Decks Compared to Other Magic Formats?

Pauper decks are significantly more affordable than decks from other Magic: The Gathering formats. On average, building a competitive Pauper deck costs around $50, compared to $400 or more for a Standard deck. For the price of one top-tier Standard deck, you could create up to eight high-performing Pauper decks, showcasing the format's accessibility.

On Magic Online (MTGO), Pauper decks can cost as little as 5 tickets or even less, making it an excellent option for budget-conscious players. For those with existing card collections, Pauper can be even cheaper—or entirely free—if you already own common staples. Even the most expensive Pauper cards, such as [card]Relic of Progenitus[/card] for sideboards, rarely exceed $10, with most costing far less. This makes Pauper one of the most wallet-friendly formats in Magic: The Gathering.

Are uncommon cards allowed in Pauper?

If they were at some point printed at a common rarity, then they can be played in pauper. Mythic, Rares, and Uncommon cards that have never been printed at a common rarity can’t be used in the format.

What Is the Most Economical Deck in Pauper?

Mono-white Heroic stands out as one of the most budget-friendly decks in the Pauper format. In paper Magic, it typically costs around $20, while on Magic Online (MTGO), it can be built for approximately 5 tickets. Many of the deck’s key cards are extremely inexpensive, with some available for mere cents—or even free if you already have a collection.

While not the top-performing deck in Pauper, Mono-white Heroic is a solid choice for players looking to make a one-time investment. It’s an excellent starting point to practice and learn the format before transitioning to other decks. Its affordability and ease of assembly make it perfect for newcomers exploring Pauper.

Where to Play Pauper?

While most games happen on MTGO, the presence of IRL communities is also significant. Because of this, I've listed a series of places that run Pauper events and that you can check if you live nearby or are traveling around these areas.

Tier list of all the top MTG Pauper decks in under five minutes!

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TOP Pauper budget Decks

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