Looking for a challenge? NISEI supports multiple formats for organized play, each with its own cardpool and ban list.
All formats follow the rules of play and errata outlined in the latest NISEI Comprehensive Rules. New releases become legal at Casual events immediately and at Competitive events on the second Friday after their release. For example, if a new set were released on Monday the 1st of a given month, it would become legal on Friday the 12th. Rotation and new ban list releases will be given their own effective dates, announced at the same time.
Many NISEI formats are affected by rotation, a process by which sets enter and exit a format’s cardpool. When new sets are added to a rotating cardpool, other sets, usually the oldest, become no longer legal. This keeps the cardpool fresh and at a manageable size.
Cards in the “removed” section may not be included in decks, used as identities, or chosen as extra cards (such as directive-type cards in Adam decks). Only a single card from the “restricted” section may be included in a deck up to its maximum number of copies, used as an identity, or chosen as an extra card.
Startup
If you’re looking to get into organized play, Startup is the place to, well, start. It’s a limited-cardpool format, intended for new players taking their first steps into Organized Play as well as experienced players who want a slimmed-down deckbuilding challenge. In general, the cardpool for Startup consists of:
- System Gateway
- The most recent System Update set
- The most recent NISEI cycle
Standard
The flagship format of NISEI Organized Play, Standard is frequently changing to keep the meta exciting and engaging for players of all levels. Most official Organized Play events will follow the Standard format. If a format is not specified, assume Standard, but contact your Tournament Organizer for clarity.
The Standard Ban List currently only removes cards; it does not presently contain restricted cards. This change was made in the June 2020 update to the list.
The most recent version of the Standard Ban List is version 21.06, effective as of June 19, 2021.
Snapshot
This format is a “snapshot” of the meta at Magnum Opus 2018, the culmination of FFG Organized Play. It will see minimal changes unless strictly necessary.
Eternal
Eternal is not affected by rotation and has a much less stringent ban list. The largest and most complex format, it encompasses nearly the entirety of the printed card pool and only grows larger with time.
Other Formats
There are, of course, many other ways to play Netrunner! The Netrunner community is nothing if not passionate and creative, so be sure to check community hubs for unofficial formats or to share your own.