Felidar Guardian Banned

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Happy Thursday MTG peeps,

WOW !

Stop the presses and (if you had not already) read the 'Addendum to April 24, 2017 Banned and Restricted Announcement' posted today on the MAGIC: THE GATHERING website linked here.  

The Cat is in the bag.

Felidar Guardian is banned.

We do not think it a bit of a stretch of statement to say that the Copy Cat (Saheeli Combo) was driving people away from playing Standard.  This appears to be generally true for some professional players, but most decidedly true for Friday Night Magic regulars like us at MTG Realm.  Sadly, we've had spotty attendance over the last two months.  Some missed events were personal, but in a large part, it was due to the dominance of threats, in the form of the Sahelli / Felidar Guardian card combo over potential answers to this.

Wizards had applied a rapid solution to this impending crisis today.  

• As a direct result, we personally are re-invigorated to play standard constructed again.  

• As a direct result, we now fully expect that the problem of flagging Friday Night Magic attendance that we have personally seen in three local gaming stores would be solved.

• As a direct result, we are now purchasing additional Amonkhet cards, and returning to our favourite past time - brewing rogue decks and taking these for a spin at our local gaming store.

Those gamers who had fled the standard format to play other formats like Commander and Modern, may be further enticed to get back into standard with sought-after cards as Friday Night Magic promos, or perhaps ad-hoc participation promo cards so those younger or newer players who cannot crack the Top 8 spot may have some good incentive.

Great move Wizards of the Coast ! Our thanks.
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B and R Update

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Happy Tuesday MTG peeps,

The Magic the Gathering community at large have been for the last few weeks been contemplating and speculating on today's Banned and Restricted (B&R) cards update. While some players incorrectly guessed that Hovermyr was to get the ban-hammer, most did guess correctly and fingered Wild Nacatl to crumple under the new update. These regular updates to rules, as well as the banned and restricted list by Wizards of the Coast are effected to ensure the continued variety and health of each of the following formats : Standard, Modern, Extended, Block, and Two-Headed Giant. For the full Magic the Gathering rules (issued today 12/20/2011) effective 1/01/2012, wing on over HERE. For the full document click on over HERE.

The 'Modern' format is a non-rotating format consisting of sets from essentially any and all cards from 8th edition forward (black-bordered cards) which is gaining popularity with players. One popular deck archetype in this format is the creature-based aggro 'Zoo' build of which Wild Nacatl was a 'go-to' card. This one-drop giving you a 1/1 creature can rapidly advance to a 3/3 body should you contro a Plains and a Mountain. Although not format-warping, Wizards did feel that the format would be healthier without it.
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The other card to get banned from Modern is Punishing Fire. Punishing Fire, when combined with Grove of the Burnwillows, gives a repeatable 2 damage for 3 mana which can be devastating to weenie decks. This combination provides a one life gain to your opponent but can wreck your opponent's ability to field any offense against you.












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Something else which may be of interest to MTG Realm readers who may venture off the kitchen table and into the tournament arena - WotC has just released an updated Infraction Procedures Guide, also go into effect on January 1, 2012. Here are the summary of the changes to expect:

General: Language fixes, particularly streamlining the opening sentence of each section. Terminology fixes.

1.4: New section on Optional Abilities.

3.1: Important changes - Opponents are no longer responsible for triggers. Some triggers are optional and handled differently. Missed triggers being put on the stack now go on the bottom. Actions are completed before doing so. Players other than the controller of a trigger are under no obligation to point out that a trigger has been missed, though they may do so if they wish.

3.5: Clarification for when Improper Drawing at Start of Game applies.

3.7: Failure to Maintain Game State does not apply when the opponent misses a trigger. The Judge must believe intention here.

4.3: Attempting to perform a loop with an indeterminate end point is now Slow Play such as derping around (reviewing / taking notes) without any significant change in game state.

4.7: Added a reminder of the Player Communication Rules to the philosophy.
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That's it for now, until tomorrow's post MTG Realm reminds you to play it safe - always use card sleeves.
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Promo Foils & B/R List

Just a round-up of some new DCI promo foils we may expect to be floating around . . . As well, the anticipated update on the Banned / Restricted Lists announced today.

2008 World Championships in Memphis Pro Tour Promo

Treva, the Renewer 3{G}{W}{U}
Legendary Creature — Dragon, Flying
Whenever Treva, the Renewer deals combat damage to a player, you may pay 2White. If you do, choose a color. You gain 1 life for each permanent of that color.
6 / 6

This Chrome Mox is being provided to participants in any of 2009 Grand Prix events.










Chrome Mox 0
Artifact
Imprint When Chrome Mox comes into play, you may remove a nonartifact, nonland card in your hand from the game. (The removed card is imprinted on this artifact.) Tap: Add one mana of any of the imprinted card's colors to your mana pool.

This is another DCI Judge Promo being provided to those considerate individuals volunteering their time to organize and judge sanctioned tournaments.










Living Wish 1{G}
Sorcery
You may choose a creature or land card you own from outside the game, reveal that card, and put it into your hand. Remove Living Wish from the game.

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December 1 2008 DCI Banned and Restricted List Announcement
Effective Date: December 20, 2008
Magic Online Effective Date: December 10, 2008

The next Banned and Restricted List Announcement will be published on December 19, 2008.

No changes to Standard, Vintage, Legacy, Extended, Shards of Alara Block Constructed. Several changes announced to Magic Online.

For a concise list, check out this WoTC page.