Protection Guide

MTG Commander Deck Storage GuideCard Protection Guide

Everything you need to know about storing and protecting your Magic: The Gathering Commander and EDH decks. From deck boxes to protecting your most valuable cards.

Commander is the most popular casual format in Magic: The Gathering, and each deck contains exactly 100 unique cards — often including expensive staples, Reserved List cards, and foil upgrades. Storing a Commander deck properly means balancing accessibility for play with protection for value. This guide covers how to protect your Commander deck as a whole, and how to give special treatment to the high-value cards within it.

Why It Matters

Why Commander Decks Need Dedicated Storage

A typical Commander deck is not just 100 random cards — it is a curated collection that often represents hundreds or even thousands of pounds of investment. Mana bases alone can be enormously valuable, with original dual lands, fetch lands, and shock lands forming the backbone of competitive builds. Losing even one key card to damage affects both the deck's playability and its financial value.

Commander decks are frequently transported to game shops, friends' houses, and events. This transit exposes cards to jostling, temperature changes, and potential spills. A proper deck box protects during transport, but the most valuable cards in your 99 deserve additional individual protection even within the deck.

Foil Commander cards are particularly vulnerable. The 100-card format means foil-heavy decks experience more shuffling friction, and MTG foils are prone to curling in humid environments. Protecting your foils with proper sleeves and storing the deck in a quality box with a good seal helps preserve their condition between games.

Magic: The Gathering Card Dimensions & Toploader Fit

63mm (2.5") x 88mm (3.5")

Standard card size

89mm x 127mm

Oversized / Jumbo cards

All MTG Commander cards are standard size (63mm x 88mm). A sleeved 100-card Commander deck is approximately 85–95mm tall depending on sleeve brand. Double-sleeved decks are thicker, approximately 100–110mm.

Some older Commander products included oversized commander cards for display. These are not tournament-legal and require larger holders.

Standard 35pt toploaders (3" x 4") fit all individual Commander cards. DeckSentry 35pt toploaders are ideal for protecting your most valuable Commander staples when they are not in the deck.

Protection Levels

Protection Tiers by Card Value

The Full Deck

Entire deck

Baseline protection for all 100 cards in the deck during play and transport.

1.Sleeve all 100 cards in matching outer sleeves
2.Consider double-sleeving the entire deck for maximum play protection
3.Store in a quality deck box rated for 100+ sleeved cards
4.Use a deck box with a secure closure — magnetic or latch — to prevent accidental opening

Key Cards

£10 – £100 each

Important staples, commander cards, and foils that see regular play but have significant value.

1.Double-sleeve these cards even if the rest of the deck is single-sleeved
2.When the deck is not in use, consider removing these cards and storing them in DeckSentry acid-free toploaders
3.Keep proxy replacements on hand so originals can stay protected during casual games

Reserve Investments

£100+ each

Reserved List cards, high-value foils, and cards too valuable to risk during regular play.

1.Perfect-fit inner sleeve these cards immediately
2.Store in DeckSentry acid-free toploaders when not in the deck
3.Use high-quality proxies in the deck for casual play, keeping the originals safe
4.Store toploaders in a climate-controlled environment away from all light

Step-by-Step: How to Store Magic: The Gathering Cards

Sleeve all 100 cards consistently

Use the same brand and colour of outer sleeves for the entire deck. Mismatched sleeves can be considered marked cards in competitive settings.

Double-sleeve valuable cards

For cards worth £10 or more, add a perfect-fit inner sleeve beneath the outer sleeve. This provides an extra layer of protection against spills and dust during play.

Choose the right deck box

Select a deck box rated for 100+ sleeved cards with a secure closure mechanism. Magnetic-close and latch-close boxes offer the best protection during transport.

Protect high-value cards separately

For Reserved List cards, expensive foils, and cards worth over £50, consider storing them in DeckSentry acid-free toploaders between play sessions. Use proxies in casual games to keep originals safe.

Avoid These

Common Magic: The Gathering Card Protection Mistakes

Using a deck box that is too large

An oversized deck box allows cards to shift and slide during transport. This movement causes edge wear, especially on unsleeved or single-sleeved cards.

Choose a deck box designed for exactly 100 sleeved or double-sleeved cards. The deck should fit snugly without excessive pressure.

Leaving expensive cards in the deck during long storage periods

Cards in a deck box experience constant low-level pressure from adjacent cards and are not in archival-quality protection. Over months and years, this causes subtle edge and surface wear.

If you are not playing the deck regularly, remove the most valuable cards and store them in DeckSentry acid-free toploaders. Replace with proxies or basic lands to maintain the deck's structure.

Transporting Commander decks in bags without a deck box

Loose decks in backpacks or bags get crushed, bent, and exposed to items that can damage them. Even sleeved cards are vulnerable to bending force.

Always use a rigid deck box. For extra protection during transport, place the deck box inside a padded bag or case designed for gaming accessories.

Not accounting for foil curl in Commander decks

A Commander deck with multiple foils stored in a deck box can develop uneven thickness as foils curl in humid conditions. This makes shuffling difficult and can bend adjacent non-foil cards.

Store foil-heavy Commander decks in a climate-controlled environment. Use silica gel packets near your deck box storage area. For valuable foils not in active play, toploader storage prevents curl entirely.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What size deck box do I need for a Commander deck?

A sleeved 100-card Commander deck requires a deck box rated for at least 100 single-sleeved cards (approximately 85–95mm internal height). If double-sleeved, you need a box rated for 100+ double-sleeved cards (approximately 100–110mm internal height). Popular options include the Ultimate Guard Boulder (100+) and Dragon Shield Nest.

Should I toploader my Commander cards?

For your most valuable Commander staples — Reserved List cards, expensive foils, and high-value mythics — storing them in DeckSentry acid-free toploaders between play sessions is the best protection. Use proxy replacements in the deck for casual games. DeckSentry 35pt toploaders fit all standard MTG cards.

How do I prevent foil curl in my Commander deck?

Store the deck in a climate-controlled environment with stable humidity (40–50%). Use silica gel packets near your storage area. For valuable foils not currently in the deck, DeckSentry toploaders physically prevent curling with their rigid construction. Avoid storing decks in cars, garages, or other areas with temperature fluctuations.

Can I double-sleeve an entire Commander deck?

Yes, and it is recommended if your deck contains significant value. Double-sleeving adds approximately 15–20mm of height to the deck, so ensure your deck box can accommodate the extra bulk. The additional protection against spills and dust is well worth the effort for a deck you have invested in.

How should I store Commander decks I am not currently playing?

Remove the most valuable cards and store them individually in DeckSentry acid-free toploaders. Keep the remaining deck sleeved in its deck box with proxy replacements for the removed cards. Store everything in a room with stable temperature and humidity, away from direct light.