Magic: The Gathering’s Standard format is under scrutiny as Wizards of the Coast prepares to shift its banned and restricted announcement from November 24 to November 10. This decision comes in response to mounting concerns over format imbalance, particularly surrounding the dominance of Vivi Ornitier and Agatha’s Soul Cauldron.

While emergency bans were considered, the developers opted for a more predictable cadence to preserve player confidence and tournament stability. The move aims to give competitors ample time to adjust before the World Championships, without disrupting the ongoing RCQ season.

The announcement reflects a broader philosophy shift: Wizards is prioritizing long-term format health over reactive decisions. Past attempts at flexible ban windows led to chaos and uncertainty, prompting a return to structured timing. Although Vivi Ornitier is likely to be banned due to its overwhelming metagame presence, the emergence of strong contenders like Mono-Red and Mono-Green Stompy suggests the format may still be evolving. Wizards is watching closely to determine whether the current imbalance is temporary or symptomatic of deeper issues.

Importantly, the team acknowledges that while high-level competitive play appears skewed, the majority of Standard games—especially on MTG Arena and in local stores—remain relatively unaffected. This duality complicates ban decisions, as changes must consider both headline-grabbing tournaments and everyday gameplay. The upcoming November 10 announcement will cover all formats, but Standard remains the focal point. Wizards hopes this proactive approach will restore balance and trust in the format’s future.

Read the full announcement here:

On Standard and Moving the Banned and Restricted Announcement to November 10