Dandan MTG: 10 Essential Rules for the Best Forgetful Fish Games

Dandan MTG is one of the strangest and most delightful corners of Magic. It starts with Dandân, a blue fish creature from 1993, and grows into Forgetful Fish, a format where two players share one library and one graveyard. There is no deckbuilding and no collection arms race, just pure decision-making with a pile of blue cards. This guide covers the card itself, the history of the format, the full rules, the standard decklist and strategy tips to help you win your first games.

The Dandân card explained

Dandân first appeared in Arabian Nights, Magic’s very first expansion, released in 1993. It is a blue Fish creature that costs two blue mana and has four power but only one toughness. Its drawbacks are what make it memorable: it can only attack if the defending player controls an Island, and you have to sacrifice it if you ever control no Islands yourself.

In normal Magic, those restrictions make Dandân a weak card. In the Dandan MTG format, though, every player is playing Islands from the same deck, so Dandân becomes a fast four-power clock. It is also the only real damage source in the deck, which means every game revolves around the fish.

Why the name has two spellings

The official card name uses an accented letter, Dandân, while most players simply type “Dandan” online. Both refer to the same card and the same format. You will see Dandan MTG, Forgetful Fish and Dandân used interchangeably in communities and event listings.

The history of the Dandan MTG format

Forgetful Fish was created by Nick Floyd in the mid-1990s, long before Commander became popular. For decades it lived on as a cult classic among kitchen-table players. In 2023, the Magic video essay channel Rhystic Studies spotlighted the format, and interest exploded. Players began building their own shared decks, MagicCon events added Forgetful Fish play, and the format became a favorite at conventions and game nights.

In March 2026, Wizards of the Coast celebrated the format with a Secret Lair Dandân deck released through the Chaos Vault. The official announcement described the format as a fan-favorite, community-built creation pioneered by Nick Floyd. That official product made Dandan MTG easier than ever to try with real cards.

Dandan MTG rules: how to play Forgetful Fish

The rules are simple to learn but create deep games. Here are the essentials as described in the official Secret Lair announcement and community guides:

1. One shared library: both players draw from the same 80-card deck. Any card that refers to “your library” means the shared library.
2. One shared graveyard: all discarded and destroyed cards go to the same pile, and “your graveyard” refers to it.
3. Ownership: a spell on the stack or a permanent on the battlefield is owned by whoever cast or played it.
4. Life and hand size: players start at 20 life with seven cards, and maximum hand size is seven.
5. Dealing hands: opening hands are dealt alternately, one card at a time, like dealing poker.
6. Simultaneous draws: when both players draw at the same time, cards are dealt one at a time starting with the active player.
7. Losing by decking: drawing from an empty library makes you lose, as in normal Magic.
8. Free mulligans: a hand with fewer than two lands or fewer than two spells can be revealed and redrawn for free.
9. Regular mulligans: once you take a normal mulligan, the free mulligan option no longer applies.
10. Winning: reduce your opponent to zero life, almost always by attacking with Dandân, or make them draw from an empty library.

The standard Dandan MTG decklist

The Secret Lair version follows the classic structure closely. It contains 10 Dandân, 8 Memory Lapse, 4 Accumulated Knowledge, two copies each of Brainstorm, Capture of Jingzhou, Chart a Course, Control Magic, Crystal Spray, Day’s Undoing, Magical Hack, Mental Note, Metamorphose, Mystic Sanctuary, Predict, Telling Time and Unsubstantiate, plus 20 Islands and two copies each of Halimar Depths, Haunted Fengraf, Lonely Sandbar, Remote Isle, The Surgical Bay and Svyelunite Temple.

Community versions sometimes swap a few cards, so if you join a game at a store or convention, ask which list the group uses before you shuffle up.

Key cards in Dandan MTG

Every card in the deck matters, but a few define how games play out:

Memory Lapse

Memory Lapse counters a spell and puts it on top of the library instead of the graveyard. Because the library is shared, that card becomes the next draw, which is often your opponent’s. Timing a Memory Lapse so the countered card lands on the right player’s draw is one of the deepest skills in Dandan MTG.

Control Magic and Metamorphose

Control Magic steals an opposing permanent, usually a Dandân, turning their threat into yours. Metamorphose removes a permanent by putting it on top of the library, but it lets the controller put a permanent into play, so use it carefully.

Magical Hack and Crystal Spray

These cards change the text of a permanent or spell, swapping one land type or color word for another. In Dandan MTG, changing “Island” on a Dandân can stop it from attacking or force its controller to sacrifice it. They create some of the most memorable swings in the format.

Card selection and recursion

Brainstorm, Predict, Telling Time, Chart a Course and Mental Note let you look at and arrange the shared library. Accumulated Knowledge counts copies in the shared graveyard, so it gets better as the game goes on. Mystic Sanctuary can recover a key instant or sorcery, and Day’s Undoing resets everyone’s hands, which can bail you out of a losing spot.

Dandan MTG strategy tips

Because both players share the same cards, the winner is usually whoever tracks information best. These tips will help you play like a veteran:

• Track the top of the library. Every Brainstorm, Halimar Depths or Memory Lapse changes what is on top. Remember what you put there.
• Count your Islands. Never let your own Island count fall to zero while you control a Dandân, or you lose it.
• Do not overcommit. Casting a second Dandân into an open Control Magic can hand your opponent a clock.
• Hold up Memory Lapse. Leaving two Islands untapped forces your opponent to play around a counter.
• Use the graveyard. Since it is shared, Accumulated Knowledge and Mystic Sanctuary benefit from what your opponent discards too.
• Watch library size. With heavy card draw, decking is a real win condition late in the game.
• Bluff carefully. Because you know the deck list, so does your opponent. Bluffs work best when they represent a card that could plausibly be in hand.

Opening hand guidance

A good opening hand usually has three or four lands and a mix of card selection and interaction. Take advantage of the free mulligan rule if your hand has too few lands or spells. Since both players draw from the same deck, a hand stacked with Memory Lapse can be just as strong as one with Dandân.

Building your own Dandan MTG deck

You do not need the Secret Lair to play. Many players assemble their own deck from inexpensive older printings. Most of the cards are commons or uncommons, and Islands are easy to find. Here are a few ways to put a deck together:

• Pick up blue staples and older commons from our MTG singles selection.
• Check our collections for bulk blue cards that often contain format pieces.
• Use matching sleeves from our accessories range, since everyone draws from the same deck and unmarked sleeves matter.
• Store the deck in a sturdy deck box so it is ready for game night.

Because Dandan MTG is played with a single shared deck, one copy of the list is enough for two players. That makes it a fantastic value compared with formats where each player needs a full deck.

Variations and house rules

Some groups add or remove cards to tune the format, try three-player games, or swap in different versions of key effects. Others keep strictly to the classic list. If you experiment, keep the core ideas intact: shared library, shared graveyard and a fish that needs Islands to swim.

Where to play Dandan MTG

Forgetful Fish has appeared as a side event at MagicCon conventions, and many local stores host casual sessions. Because it needs only one deck and a table, it is also perfect for travel and lunch breaks. Teaching a friend takes only a few minutes, and the shared deck means a newer player is never outgunned by a more expensive collection.

If you enjoy Dandan MTG, you might also like other casual Magic experiences such as Cube or themed Commander nights. Our booster boxes are great for draft nights, and you can browse other TCGs if your group likes to switch games.

Teaching Dandan MTG to new players

Dandan MTG is one of the best formats for introducing Magic to friends, because nobody needs their own deck. Start by explaining the shared library and graveyard, then play an open-handed practice game where both players show their cards. That makes it easy to explain why Memory Lapse is so strong in Dandan MTG and how text-changing spells affect Dandân.

• Explain that Dandân needs Islands on both sides of the table to function.
• Show how Brainstorm and Halimar Depths change the next draw for both players.
• Point out that drawing too many cards can lose the game in Dandan MTG.
• Encourage questions, because the format rewards curiosity more than memorized combos.

After two or three games, most new players understand the basics and start finding their own lines. That fast learning curve is why Dandan MTG has become such a hit at conventions and store game nights.

Common beginner mistakes

New players often cast Dandân as early as possible, only to watch it get stolen by Control Magic. Others forget that their own card selection also sets up the opponent’s next draw. A third common error is drawing aggressively without watching the library count, which can end the game by decking. Slow down, count cards and think about what each play gives your opponent. In a shared-deck format, every action is a gift or a trap.

Dandan MTG FAQ

Is Dandan MTG an official format?

Forgetful Fish is a fan-made format, created by Nick Floyd. Wizards recognized it with the 2026 Secret Lair Dandân deck, but it is not a sanctioned competitive format.

How many players can play Forgetful Fish?

The format is designed for two players. Some groups experiment with three or more, but the classic list and rules assume a head-to-head game.

Do I need the Secret Lair to play Dandan MTG?

No. You can build the deck from regular printings or use the list as a guide for a casual proxy deck at home.

What happens to Dandân if I control no Islands?

You must sacrifice it. That is why text-changing cards like Magical Hack and Crystal Spray are so strong in this format.

Can Dandân attack if my opponent has no Islands?

No. Dandân can only attack when the defending player controls an Island, which is almost always the case in Forgetful Fish.

Buying Dandan MTG online: a practical checklist

Shopping for Dandan MTG online is convenient, but a little preparation helps you get exactly what you expect. Use this checklist every time you buy Magic: The Gathering products, whether you are picking up a single card, a sealed box or a premium collection.

Before you order

• Confirm the exact product. Check the set name, card number, language and finish in the listing title and photos.
• Read the condition. Singles are usually listed as Near Mint, Lightly Played or similar. Graded cards show the grading company and grade.
• Check stock status. In-stock items ship sooner than pre-orders, which ship when the product releases.
• Compare value, not just price. A bundle with sleeves, dice or promos may be better value than packs alone.
• Know the policies. Read the shipping, returns and contact information before checkout.

When your order arrives

• Open the parcel carefully and check that everything matches the order.
• Inspect singles and slabs under good light straight away.
• Sleeve and store cards immediately so they keep their condition.
• Contact the store quickly if anything is wrong, with photos of the item and packaging.

How to store and care for Dandan MTG

Good storage protects both the look and the value of Dandan MTG. Cards are made of layered paper and ink, so heat, light, moisture and pressure all cause damage over time. A few simple habits make a big difference.

1. Sleeve first. A soft penny sleeve stops scratches and fingerprints.
2. Add rigid protection. Toploaders or semi-rigid holders stop bends for valuable cards.
3. Choose the right binder. Side-loading, acid-free binders keep cards secure and easy to view. Avoid ring binders that press into cards.
4. Control the environment. Keep cards in a cool, dry room away from windows, radiators and damp basements.
5. Store sealed product flat. Boxes and tins last longer stored flat and out of direct light.
6. Handle with clean, dry hands. Oils and moisture can mark card surfaces.

You can find sleeves, toploaders, binders and deck boxes in our TCG accessories range.

Useful terms for Dandan MTG collectors

• Single: an individual card sold on its own.
• Sealed: unopened product in its original factory wrap.
• Pull rate: how often a type of card appears in packs.
• Chase card: the most wanted card in a set.
• Slab: a card graded and sealed in a hard plastic case.
• NM / LP / MP / HP: condition grades from Near Mint to Heavily Played.
• Reprint: a card printed again in a later product.
• Pre-order: reserving a product before its release date.

Common mistakes to avoid with Dandan MTG

Even experienced collectors make avoidable mistakes. Keeping these in mind will save you money and protect your cards.

• Chasing one card through endless packs. If you need a specific card, the single is almost always the cheaper route.
• Skipping protection. A card left unsleeved for a day can pick up a scratch that lowers its value.
• Buying on hype alone. Prices can move quickly after a release. Check several recent sales before paying a premium.
• Ignoring condition notes. Two copies of the same card can differ greatly in value because of wear.
• Storing cards in the wrong place. Attics, garages and sunny windowsills are hard on cardboard.
• Forgetting your goal. A clear plan, such as finishing a set or upgrading a deck, keeps spending focused.

A simple plan to get started with Dandan MTG

1. Set a goal. Decide whether you are collecting, playing or both.
2. Set a monthly budget. Spending a fixed amount keeps the hobby fun and sustainable.
3. Mix sealed and singles. Open packs for enjoyment and buy singles for the cards you really need.
4. Protect as you go. Sleeves and toploaders cost little compared with the cards they protect.
5. Track your collection. A simple list shows what you own and what you still want.
6. Sell or trade duplicates. Turn cards you do not need into new additions through a trusted store.

Why shop for Dandan MTG at TCG Store USA

TCG Store USA is an online trading card shop for collectors and players. We list Magic: The Gathering products with clear titles and photos, separate in-stock items from pre-orders, and offer a sell and trade service when you want to turn cards into cash or store credit. Browse our singles, booster boxes and graded cards, or contact us with any question about an order or product. For official news, rules and release announcements, visit the official Magic: The Gathering site.

Final thoughts on Dandan MTG

Dandan MTG turns a forgotten 1993 fish into one of the most clever experiences in Magic. With one shared deck, simple rules and endless tactical depth, it is ideal for game nights, conventions and teaching friends. Read more on the official Magic site, then build your deck from our shop, or trade in spare cards to fund your Forgetful Fish table.