this post was submitted on 16 Dec 2024
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Standard:

  • No changes

Pioneer:

  • Jegantha, the Wellspring is banned.

Modern:

  • The One Ring is banned.

  • Amped Raptor is banned.

  • Jegantha, the Wellspring is banned.

  • Mox Opal is unbanned.

  • Green Sun's Zenith is unbanned.

  • Faithless Looting is unbanned.

  • Splinter Twin is unbanned.

Legacy:

  • Psychic Frog is banned.
  • Vexing Bauble is banned.

Vintage:

  • No changes

Alchemy:

  • No changes

Explorer:

  • Jegantha, the Wellspring is banned.

Historic:

  • No changes

Timeless:

  • No changes

Brawl:

  • No changes
top 8 comments
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[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I think they finally did something the players have been asking for. Jegantha correctly identified as a mistake. I'm glad they hit something in Modern's Boros Energy w/ Raptor but they could have gone harder with Guide of Souls. That card is just silly and will always be the source of too much energy.

Frog and Bauble also great hits in Legacy, I think TOR should go in Legacy but I guess they will let that go a little longer too. Really can't wait to see what new decks come out in Modern over the next few weeks.

[–] meant2live218 3 points 2 weeks ago

Energy could have lost:

  • Guide of Souls
  • Galvanic Discharge
  • Static Prison
  • Amped Raptor

And on the non-energy portion of it:

  • Ocelot Pride
  • Ajani
  • Phlage

I guess removing Raptor helps prevent those unwinnable turn 3, turn 4 board states, at least. But getting rid of Phlage would get strip away some of their removal and survivability. Getting rid of Guide of Souls would kinda crush Energy as a deck. Ocelot and Ajani are being left alone because they can still be used in a Boros go-wide deck, at least.

TOR in Legacy feels okay to me, but I don't play or follow Legacy too much. I feel like Legacy has the answers and counterplay for it, though, no?

[–] BigDiction 9 points 2 weeks ago

We’re effectively sold out of LOTR product so time to ban the Ring!

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] rigatti 5 points 2 weeks ago

Twin seems much less impactful when half the format is free spells now.

[–] MysticKetchup 6 points 2 weeks ago

One Ring and Amped Raptor were overdue but deserved. Jegantha doesn't feel overpowered but the meta is probably better without it. Would have liked to see Bowmasters get hit too.

Those unbans though, they really went all out. I guess this is their apology for leaving Ring in the format for so long

[–] Phelpssan 6 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

My utter hatred of UB sets won't let me get excited by this, but it's honestly a fantastic update for Modern players.

[–] meant2live218 5 points 2 weeks ago

Honestly, this feels very well thought-out, and close to an ideal B&R.

Standard is still finding its footing post-Foundations, and it's a bit too soon to really ban anything there.

Pioneer, I could've been happy to see Cruise get banned, but that might be too much of a shakeup after last ban. Jegantha going away feels funny, because almost no decks truly relied on Jegantha as a win condition or anything, but the value of an extra card was just too much, and its Companion condition was just stifling creative builds. In general I'd like to see a bit more variety in midrange decks be viable there (I'm a Gruul Boats player, and that deck has basically vanished over the last year).

Modern needed these bans months ago. One Ring was just too homogenous. Basically every deck that could fit it wanted it. It stalled out games in a way that didn't feel interactive. Boros Energy definitely needed a check, and I hope Amped Raptor is enough to bring it back down to earth. Could have just as easily been Ajani or Ocelot Pride or Galvanic Discharge, but time will tell. The unbannings seem relatively safe. Opal should open up some affinity decks. GSZ is a big maybe; I don't know if Yawg would even want it right now. Looting is great. Twin is hilarious, but shouldn't actually make an impact besides getting old Modern players back into the format.

Legacy needed those bans. The frog was scary good and flexible, and the Bauble just shut down too much in a format where free things are vital.

Overall, just an absolute Christmas gift of a B&R. Hoping to see this improve player turnout at local events.