How to sideboard in MTG: a practical guide
2026-08-05
Sideboarding is how constructed Magic adapts mid-match. A tuned 15-card sideboard often matters more than a single main-deck rare.
Sideboard fundamentals
Bring up to 15 cards. Swap one-for-one between games — deck must return to legal size. Game one uses main deck only.
Plan 3–6 swaps per matchup. Replace dead cards (sweepers vs control with no creatures) with hateful answers.
Common sideboard categories
Anti-aggro: lifegain, cheap removal, sweepers. Anti-control: threat density, hand disruption, uncounterable spells. Anti-combo: graveyard hate, Rule of Law effects.
Flexible cards (Dress Down, Unlicensed Hearse) cover multiple matchups — prioritize those in tight 15-card lists.
Practice before the event
Write sideboard plans: "vs burn: out X, in Y." Rehearse so you do not burn clock. Our guides on archetypes help predict what you will face.
After the event, note which swaps worked — refine for next time.
FAQ
- How many cards can I sideboard?
- Up to 15. You may swap any number between games of a match, one-for-one.
- When do I use my sideboard?
- Not in game one. Between games two and three (and before game two if you lost game one).