1. Enforce the Standard turn rule (turn 5-6) on Modern: This will immediately create NEW decks in the format (with having over 10,000 cards in it) and will allow Standard cards to actually see way more use in Modern. It would be like making a block for Standard, Limited and Modern without having to do all of the power-creep balance work. Players that stop playing standard for Modern will still have block sets to get their ammunition from. They can still advertise it to Modern players.
Right now, Modern's problem is it's stagnant, too fast and very few new cards come out for it. With both formats having the same turn rule, modern can enjoy the same cards as standard.
I already know what some people will say about this: "Standard cards have a lower power level." Which leads to number two:
2. Remove the "lottery cards" (we all know the marketing tech WOTC) and make cards more equal in power: This way both formats will be willing to buy boxes. NO one will realistically spend money on something they don't see as worth it. So, make these sets worth buying a box for.
I play both formats, but only buy singles. Why? Not enough good cards in the set. The last time I've bought a box was for the release of Time Spiral. That set had so many amazing cards in it for everyone and allowed for all styles (agro, combo, control and hybrids) to be competitive.
I'm really curious WHY Modern needed to be a faster format than standard. Is there a real reason why they gave Modern the turn 4 rule? All of those cards in Modern-eternal now were at one point in standard.
Saying Modern is stagnant is so mind boggling to me.
What do you want, a quarterly turn over of the top tier ?
Again that's just standard. You are not saving Modern, which doesn't need saving, just making everything in Standard, which many of us have nothing but disdain for.
Lol, I'm sorry. But simply, I saw your first line and literally burst out laughing.
You would kill Modern instantly with your first point.
Your second would bury it.
If I wanted to play the...format of Standard, I would.
You act like Modern isn't already dying lol. Even without my input, it's turn 4 nonsense keeps over 90% of newly created cards from ever having use in the format. Modern is stagnant because of those current decks. It's far too predictable and a format that's predictable with 1000's of cards is pathetic. It's on it's way where Legacy and vintage are guaranteed.
Saying Modern is stagnant is so mind boggling to me.
What do you want, a quarterly turn over of the top tier ?
Again that's just standard. You are not saving Modern, which doesn't need saving, just making everything in Standard, which many of us have nothing but disdain for.
It's STANDRD that slower format that has been eroded in quality to the point of Wizards admitting it (3/10 format) where they need to ban two format warping cards out of its already stale 3 deck format, that has problems.
Modern, with dozens of viable decks, several of which are a thing only from the last 3 standard blocks is quite fine.
If Wizards pushed Modern as hard as Standard, anyone can tell you what would be played more.
To be honest, I think that is what wizards wants to do, just that in order to not make all the modern players angry they are keeping modern and probably going to phase the newer "eternal" format in. At least that would be one explenation for the mind baffling choices they are making right now towards modern based events.
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1. (Ravnica Allegiance): You can't keep a good esper control deck down... Or Wilderness Reclamation... or Gates...
2. (War of the Spark): Guys, I know what we need! We need a cycle of really idiotic flavor text victory cards! Jace's Triumph...
3. (War of the Spark): Lets make the format with control have even more control!
I agree with the point that for the thousands of cards available for modern a disproportionate amount of cards actually see play. I would agree that modern is growing a bit stagnate with very few standard cards ever breaking into the format. I think wizards needs to just print better cards. Too many of the cards they print just seem like filler. And therefore will be resigned to to the dustbin. What a waste really. If wizards wants to help either of these formats, they simply need to print useful cards. It'd be nice if modern players could get excited for a new standard set as well.
And I believe the standard bannings could result in a mass exodus of the the format. Standard is already a fairly expensive format to keep up with, and no one wants to hear that the cards they've invested in are now useless at FNM's and such. The way to diversify a format is not by banning cards that seem problematic, especially a card that has only been available for a few months. Instead just print answers to cards that seem oppressive. With new sets rolling out every few months I don't believe that's too hard of a thing to do.
Yeah, none of this would "save" modern. It doesn't need saved and there's new cards that break into the format every block. There are tons of decks that are on the fringe just waiting for new pieces to push them up. Not to mention that there are quite a few decks in the tier 1 and tier 2 groups. The dust is still settling since the bans and there haven't been any major modern tournaments since them. The closest we have is regionals (which aren't much higher than fnm) and side events at GPs. Wizards isn't trying to kill the format, but we all know standard and limited are their cash cow. They're focusing on those for money, not because they want to kill any formats.
Alright, modern is in its current state because of the lack of strong, universal answers.
Current legacy is regarded by just about everyone as a fantastic format because these answers keep everything in check.
You get force and Daze in blue, and miracles is probably the best deck in the format.
Non blue decks get Thalia, wasteland, Karakas, and Port in the case of DnT, Aggro loam and Maverick get Chalics and a Knight of the reliquary toobox.
Modern needs a force and wasteland variant, the format has zero mana denial.
Pauper's also a good example. There's plenty of crazy stuff in the format, Kiln Fiend combo,Elves, Affinity, Kuldotha Boros, and I'm sure I'm missing something else.
The reason that these decks don't take over everything, is again because we have answers that are powerful.
UW or Murasa Tron, UB Teachings, Ux delver, Bx midrange/control all have very powerful generic answers that keep the super fast decks in check.
Your suggestion would need Valakut, all of affinity, every infect creature, Aether Vial, Tarmogoyf, lightning bolt, Ad Nauseam , probably the fetchlands, banned,
That would lose players an insane amount of money, might even be enough to justify a lawsuit. Also, consider that these people would probably never play magic again.
Not everyone wants to play midrange hell like Kitchen Table casual.
If wizards decided to just up and ban an entire format, not even cut support over time, just ban, I would sell my cards in every format so fast, and sink the money into board games, firearms, 40k or some other hobby.
Not good for consumer confidence, your proposal.
Lol, I'm sorry. But simply, I saw your first line and literally burst out laughing.
You would kill Modern instantly with your first point.
Your second would bury it.
If I wanted to play the...format of Standard, I would.
You act like Modern isn't already dying lol. Even without my input, it's turn 4 nonsense keeps over 90% of newly created cards from ever having use in the format. Modern is stagnant because of those current decks. It's far too predictable and a format that's predictable with 1000's of cards is pathetic. It's on it's way where Legacy and vintage are guaranteed.
That is the opposite of the truth. Part of the reason pros don't like modern very much is because you have no idea what you are going to encounter in the first few rounds of an event, and the powerlevel is high enough that random decks can just stomp ya.
Alright, modern is in its current state because of the lack of strong, universal answers.
Current legacy is regarded by just about everyone as a fantastic format because these answers keep everything in check.
You get force and Daze in blue, and miracles is probably the best deck in the format.
Non blue decks get Thalia, wasteland, Karakas, and Port in the case of DnT, Aggro loam and Maverick get Chalics and a Knight of the reliquary toobox.
Modern needs a force and wasteland variant, the format has zero mana denial.
Pauper's also a good example. There's plenty of crazy stuff in the format, Kiln Fiend combo,Elves, Affinity, Kuldotha Boros, and I'm sure I'm missing something else.
The reason that these decks don't take over everything, is again because we have answers that are powerful.
UW or Murasa Tron, UB Teachings, Ux delver, Bx midrange/control all have very powerful generic answers that keep the super fast decks in check.
Your suggestion would need Valakut, all of affinity, every infect creature, Aether Vial, Tarmogoyf, lightning bolt, Ad Nauseam , probably the fetchlands, banned,
That would lose players an insane amount of money, might even be enough to justify a lawsuit. Also, consider that these people would probably never play magic again.
Not everyone wants to play midrange hell like Kitchen Table casual.
If wizards decided to just up and ban an entire format, not even cut support over time, just ban, I would sell my cards in every format so fast, and sink the money into board games, firearms, 40k or some other hobby.
Not good for consumer confidence, your proposal.
Lol, I'm sorry. But simply, I saw your first line and literally burst out laughing.
You would kill Modern instantly with your first point.
Your second would bury it.
If I wanted to play the...format of Standard, I would.
You act like Modern isn't already dying lol. Even without my input, it's turn 4 nonsense keeps over 90% of newly created cards from ever having use in the format. Modern is stagnant because of those current decks. It's far too predictable and a format that's predictable with 1000's of cards is pathetic. It's on it's way where Legacy and vintage are guaranteed.
That is the opposite of the truth. Part of the reason pros don't like modern very much is because you have no idea what you are going to encounter in the first few rounds of an event, and the powerlevel is high enough that random decks can just stomp ya.
Exactly. That.
There will be times when you have all your answers for what's hot, and you get blindsided by blue moon, skred red, or even take all the turns. Sometimes an 8 Rack deck will show up and ruin someone's day. Top Control comes out and if you're not prepared you lose. There are literally dozens of decks out there, some are powerful as can be. Sometimes even decks like Bloomless Titan can win in a format where Git Probe is banned. Thing is, the pros want a stagnant format they can easily predict, like Standard. They don't want their Jund deck to run against GR Scapeshift and Tron. Or for a Jeskai Ascendancy combo to wreck their Lantern Control deck. Or for Affinity to fold to a Stony Silence....
Alright, modern is in its current state because of the lack of strong, universal answers.
Current legacy is regarded by just about everyone as a fantastic format because these answers keep everything in check.
You get force and Daze in blue, and miracles is probably the best deck in the format.
Non blue decks get Thalia, wasteland, Karakas, and Port in the case of DnT, Aggro loam and Maverick get Chalics and a Knight of the reliquary toobox.
Modern needs a force and wasteland variant, the format has zero mana denial.
Pauper's also a good example. There's plenty of crazy stuff in the format, Kiln Fiend combo,Elves, Affinity, Kuldotha Boros, and I'm sure I'm missing something else.
The reason that these decks don't take over everything, is again because we have answers that are powerful.
UW or Murasa Tron, UB Teachings, Ux delver, Bx midrange/control all have very powerful generic answers that keep the super fast decks in check.
Your suggestion would need Valakut, all of affinity, every infect creature, Aether Vial, Tarmogoyf, lightning bolt, Ad Nauseam , probably the fetchlands, banned,
That would lose players an insane amount of money, might even be enough to justify a lawsuit. Also, consider that these people would probably never play magic again.
Not everyone wants to play midrange hell like Kitchen Table casual.
If wizards decided to just up and ban an entire format, not even cut support over time, just ban, I would sell my cards in every format so fast, and sink the money into board games, firearms, 40k or some other hobby.
Not good for consumer confidence, your proposal.
Lol, I'm sorry. But simply, I saw your first line and literally burst out laughing.
You would kill Modern instantly with your first point.
Your second would bury it.
If I wanted to play the...format of Standard, I would.
You act like Modern isn't already dying lol. Even without my input, it's turn 4 nonsense keeps over 90% of newly created cards from ever having use in the format. Modern is stagnant because of those current decks. It's far too predictable and a format that's predictable with 1000's of cards is pathetic. It's on it's way where Legacy and vintage are guaranteed.
That is the opposite of the truth. Part of the reason pros don't like modern very much is because you have no idea what you are going to encounter in the first few rounds of an event, and the powerlevel is high enough that random decks can just stomp ya.
Exactly. That.
There will be times when you have all your answers for what's hot, and you get blindsided by blue moon, skred red, or even take all the turns. Sometimes an 8 Rack deck will show up and ruin someone's day. Top Control comes out and if you're not prepared you lose. There are literally dozens of decks out there, some are powerful as can be. Sometimes even decks like Bloomless Titan can win in a format where Git Probe is banned. Thing is, the pros want a stagnant format they can easily predict, like Standard. They don't want their Jund deck to run against GR Scapeshift and Tron. Or for a Jeskai Ascendancy combo to wreck their Lantern Control deck. Or for Affinity to fold to a Stony Silence....
Translation: Something different happens once in a blue-moon. Exciting.
All I see most of the time is: "new card doesn't fit in an already established deck. Modern can't use it." "It has less than four toughness with no immediate effect. Modern can't use it." "It's cost five+ mana with no way to cheat on mana. Modern can't use it."
I mean, in theory a diverse format is a good thing. The problem is that modern is really expensive, and is very much a sideboard format. I would think that if the goal is to create a format where some decks just randomly lose, the barrier to switching decks should be lower. That's very much not the case unless you own the entire format.
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Legacy
Death and Taxes Pauper
UB Teachings
Tortured Existence
Murasa Tron Modern
Pod (RIP)
Bloom(RIP)
Merfolk
at turn 5-6 rule would EASILY TRIPLE the banlist, multiplebans in Burn, Affinity, any worthwhile combo deck, any proper aggro deck....and Tron would become an absolute soul-crushingly powerful monster in the event of the 1% chance Modern didn't just die on the spot from the bannings, which it would. there would be no reason to play anything but Tron. and Modern is not stagnant,when 6 of 8 Standard decks are one deck, the idea of MODERN being the format that needs shaking is ridiculous.
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Project Booster Fun makes it less fun to open a booster.
1. Enforce the Standard turn rule (turn 5-6) on Modern:
Wizards could probably accomplish this by sanctioning Frontier at some point, as all the cards published since M15 have a much slower card design philosophy. Of course, that would severely damage or destroy the existing Modern market/format.
"How about fixing Standard.....?
(1) Print deck manipulation that is high quality- tutors brainstorm etc.
(2) Make sure that everyone does at least one thing turn 1 and one or more things t2
(3) Put some free spells in costing zero, make sure there are Leyline effects and some uncounterable stuff
(4) Make sure mana denial is in the format for everyone, and that fast rituals exist for combo players with lots of prison cards to top them
(5) Make absolutely certain that there are large numbers of decks that win by not turning critters sideways turn after turn after bloody turn"
You could still advertise the format to Legacy players, of course....."
No? Sounds ludicrous to make Standard into Legacy, doesn't it? Well it is no more ludicrous than suggesting Modern should be more like Standard- seriously altering a format to make it like another seriously disenfranchises players. People play vintage because they like the format's rules, the same is true for Modern, Legacy and Standard. Hell I would play Standard if they made it faster and way, way less about Planeswalkers and especially combat. Now if you want to make a new format then fine, that will happen eventually, but at the moment the older formats are refuges for those who dislike the way Std is, or for those who like different approaches to MTG and wish to play different formats for their differing types of game.
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People with belligerent signatures are trying to compensate for something....
Mythics (and by extension, Expeditions) drive prices down overall, by encouraging people (especially stores) to open more boxes, increasing supply.
I didn't say anything about expeditions, masterpieces, inventions, etc. I think those are a great idea. They encourage stores and people to open a great deal more boxes and increase the supply of cards a lot. Something extra special for collectors and those who want to bling out their decks. There are cheaper versions for those who don't want the bling version. Mythics are different. Mythics are often great playable cards and there is no cheaper version available. Common, Uncommon, Rare and expeditions/masterpieces/inventions/etc. are good enough.
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Modern:UB Taking Turns Modern:URW Madcap Experiment Pauper: MonoU Tempo Delver
Translation: Something different happens once in a blue-moon. Exciting.
All I see most of the time is: "new card doesn't fit in an already established deck. Modern can't use it." "It has less than four toughness with no immediate effect. Modern can't use it." "It's cost five+ mana with no way to cheat on mana. Modern can't use it."
eh... Narnam Renegade is making its rounds and there's a new deck idea out there using counters for a different strategy.
Everything dies to Bolt/Path/Push/Decay/Dismember/etc... People have to think outside the box. Mono white blink works. and few things are 4 toughness.
Over here with around 70-80 modern players who play every week in 3 different shops I have seen everything from Eggs to Lantern Control. My Bant Eldrazi deck dies to Blood Moon. Tron used to die to land destruction. Expertise cards are making an impact. With two cards being banned, the hyper aggro decks like Suicide Zoo and Infect took a hit. Storm no longer exists. People are going back to a Bloomless Titan build.
So, here begs the question: Why so Salty? Moden is fine for the moment, but it won't be if WotC doesn't support it properly. And this latest debacle has several Modern players here thinking that either they should quit, go to Legacy, or stop playing for a while.
I reject the OP's premise that Modern is in trouble at all. Standard is a *****show, of course, but what others may see as Wizards distancing themselves from Modern, is really just them acknowledging that the format no longer needs to be pushed. It's now very, very popular, despite the OP's assertions to the contrary. Standard, though, is having a problem with the strength of its answers versus that of its threats, but others have already covered that.
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Can you name all of the creature types with at least 20 cards? Try my Sporcle Quiz! Last Updated: 6/29/20 (Core Set 2021).
I reject the OP's premise that Modern is in trouble at all. Standard is a *****show, of course, but what others may see as Wizards distancing themselves from Modern, is really just them acknowledging that the format no longer needs to be pushed. It's now very, very popular, despite the OP's assertions to the contrary. Standard, though, is having a problem with the strength of its answers versus that of its threats, but others have already covered that.
Aye... Last week for instance, 30 people played Modern, they had 6 people for Standard FNM... 12 for Game Day Saturday, and Game Day Sunday was 4 people. A year ago, there'd be 20-30 people for Standard FNMs, Game Days would have 20+ people... And prereleases here have dropped off a lot. If you want to know what Store this is? War Torn Front. And yes, they're not a little place. Even Channel Fireball in Santa Clara has seen numbers dropping while Modern and Legacy interests run high. I'm going to Galaxy on Sunday for a Legacy tournament and there will be around 20 people who will show for it. Great Expectations in Sacramento has a huge Legacy and Modern scene... Grape Vine in Lodi and Stockton, standard is dead, hardly anyone drafts, and it's only Modern and EDH. Don't believe me? Call these places up. In a 100 mile radius from where I live I know if I pick up an EDH, Modern, or Legacy deck and take it to any of these stores, there will be a few people playing. Standard? Not so much. Even Frontier is beginning to take off at a majority of these places. And I know a few vintage players here and I even have a vintage deck myself....
However, you are right and wrong. Without support, the scenes might die off.
What WotC could do?
1. Offer better prize support, bring back player rewards and offer better FNM promos. Since Path to Exile there really hasn't been anything....
2. Print less product. I mean, look at how many things were printed last year alone... Oath, Shadows, EM, EMN, FTV, Conspiracy 2, Kaladesh, C2017, and that only names a few items. There's way too many things coming out and this year the first half of the year we have 6 product being released? This is too much by far. Just my personal opinion.
3. Stop banning/unbanning things just to shake up the format. When WotC did that, attendance at the FNM dropped to an all time low. While Git Probe was expected, and GGT was expected, the standard bans sets a precedent we haven't seen for a decade... And GGT, they banned it because they don't like dredge as a mechanic. Which sets an even bigger precedent than anything else. What WotC has done is show that they're going to make bans whenever they like now. I have never played Twin, but I had no issue with Twin... But it wasn't banned because of power level, it was banned to shake things up and it opened the floodgates for hyper aggro decks to cut loose for a while.
People are afraid to invest time, money, and energy in a game where people don't know what's going to happen next.
Or they're moving over to Legacy/Modern for competitiveness, or EDH for casual, or Frontier to play. The only safe format is EDH though...
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Right now, Modern's problem is it's stagnant, too fast and very few new cards come out for it. With both formats having the same turn rule, modern can enjoy the same cards as standard.
I already know what some people will say about this: "Standard cards have a lower power level." Which leads to number two:
2. Remove the "lottery cards" (we all know the marketing tech WOTC) and make cards more equal in power: This way both formats will be willing to buy boxes. NO one will realistically spend money on something they don't see as worth it. So, make these sets worth buying a box for.
I play both formats, but only buy singles. Why? Not enough good cards in the set. The last time I've bought a box was for the release of Time Spiral. That set had so many amazing cards in it for everyone and allowed for all styles (agro, combo, control and hybrids) to be competitive.
I'm really curious WHY Modern needed to be a faster format than standard. Is there a real reason why they gave Modern the turn 4 rule? All of those cards in Modern-eternal now were at one point in standard.
2. To help prices WOTC should:
Modern: URW Madcap Experiment
Pauper: MonoU Tempo Delver
My EDH Commanders:
Aminatou, The Fateshifter UBW
Azami, Lady of Scrolls U
Mikaeus, the Unhallowed B
Edric, Spymaster of Trest UG
Glissa, the Traitor BG
Arcum Dagsson U
You would kill Modern instantly with your first point.
Your second would bury it.
If I wanted to play the...format of Standard, I would.
Spirits
What do you want, a quarterly turn over of the top tier ?
Again that's just standard. You are not saving Modern, which doesn't need saving, just making everything in Standard, which many of us have nothing but disdain for.
You don't even have Bolt for the love of god...
Spirits
You act like Modern isn't already dying lol. Even without my input, it's turn 4 nonsense keeps over 90% of newly created cards from ever having use in the format. Modern is stagnant because of those current decks. It's far too predictable and a format that's predictable with 1000's of cards is pathetic. It's on it's way where Legacy and vintage are guaranteed.
https://www.medicalgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/10408.jpg
It's STANDRD that slower format that has been eroded in quality to the point of Wizards admitting it (3/10 format) where they need to ban two format warping cards out of its already stale 3 deck format, that has problems.
Modern, with dozens of viable decks, several of which are a thing only from the last 3 standard blocks is quite fine.
If Wizards pushed Modern as hard as Standard, anyone can tell you what would be played more.
I'll stay off the rotation rat wheel, personally.
Spirits
1. (Ravnica Allegiance): You can't keep a good esper control deck down... Or Wilderness Reclamation... or Gates...
2. (War of the Spark): Guys, I know what we need! We need a cycle of really idiotic flavor text victory cards! Jace's Triumph...
3. (War of the Spark): Lets make the format with control have even more control!
Now? Push is a sign of the coming spell power up. Get ready for it.
Spirits
And I believe the standard bannings could result in a mass exodus of the the format. Standard is already a fairly expensive format to keep up with, and no one wants to hear that the cards they've invested in are now useless at FNM's and such. The way to diversify a format is not by banning cards that seem problematic, especially a card that has only been available for a few months. Instead just print answers to cards that seem oppressive. With new sets rolling out every few months I don't believe that's too hard of a thing to do.
Follow the link for nice cheap clothing.
Playing:
Death's Shadow Jund
Played:
Kiki Chord, Zoo variants, Goblins, Burn
Current legacy is regarded by just about everyone as a fantastic format because these answers keep everything in check.
You get force and Daze in blue, and miracles is probably the best deck in the format.
Non blue decks get Thalia, wasteland, Karakas, and Port in the case of DnT, Aggro loam and Maverick get Chalics and a Knight of the reliquary toobox.
Modern needs a force and wasteland variant, the format has zero mana denial.
Pauper's also a good example. There's plenty of crazy stuff in the format, Kiln Fiend combo,Elves, Affinity, Kuldotha Boros, and I'm sure I'm missing something else.
The reason that these decks don't take over everything, is again because we have answers that are powerful.
UW or Murasa Tron, UB Teachings, Ux delver, Bx midrange/control all have very powerful generic answers that keep the super fast decks in check.
Your suggestion would need Valakut, all of affinity, every infect creature, Aether Vial, Tarmogoyf, lightning bolt, Ad Nauseam , probably the fetchlands, banned,
That would lose players an insane amount of money, might even be enough to justify a lawsuit. Also, consider that these people would probably never play magic again.
Not everyone wants to play midrange hell like Kitchen Table casual.
If wizards decided to just up and ban an entire format, not even cut support over time, just ban, I would sell my cards in every format so fast, and sink the money into board games, firearms, 40k or some other hobby.
Not good for consumer confidence, your proposal.
That is the opposite of the truth. Part of the reason pros don't like modern very much is because you have no idea what you are going to encounter in the first few rounds of an event, and the powerlevel is high enough that random decks can just stomp ya.
Death and Taxes
Pauper
UB Teachings
Tortured Existence
Murasa Tron
Modern
Pod (RIP)
Bloom(RIP)
Merfolk
Exactly. That.
There will be times when you have all your answers for what's hot, and you get blindsided by blue moon, skred red, or even take all the turns. Sometimes an 8 Rack deck will show up and ruin someone's day. Top Control comes out and if you're not prepared you lose. There are literally dozens of decks out there, some are powerful as can be. Sometimes even decks like Bloomless Titan can win in a format where Git Probe is banned. Thing is, the pros want a stagnant format they can easily predict, like Standard. They don't want their Jund deck to run against GR Scapeshift and Tron. Or for a Jeskai Ascendancy combo to wreck their Lantern Control deck. Or for Affinity to fold to a Stony Silence....
Translation: Something different happens once in a blue-moon. Exciting.
All I see most of the time is: "new card doesn't fit in an already established deck. Modern can't use it." "It has less than four toughness with no immediate effect. Modern can't use it." "It's cost five+ mana with no way to cheat on mana. Modern can't use it."
Regardless, you can enjoy your 3 deck Standard, I'll keep playing my diverse Modern. Enjoy Shock while you have it!
Spirits
Death and Taxes
Pauper
UB Teachings
Tortured Existence
Murasa Tron
Modern
Pod (RIP)
Bloom(RIP)
Merfolk
Spirits
Wizards could probably accomplish this by sanctioning Frontier at some point, as all the cards published since M15 have a much slower card design philosophy. Of course, that would severely damage or destroy the existing Modern market/format.
(1) Print deck manipulation that is high quality- tutors brainstorm etc.
(2) Make sure that everyone does at least one thing turn 1 and one or more things t2
(3) Put some free spells in costing zero, make sure there are Leyline effects and some uncounterable stuff
(4) Make sure mana denial is in the format for everyone, and that fast rituals exist for combo players with lots of prison cards to top them
(5) Make absolutely certain that there are large numbers of decks that win by not turning critters sideways turn after turn after bloody turn"
You could still advertise the format to Legacy players, of course....."
No? Sounds ludicrous to make Standard into Legacy, doesn't it? Well it is no more ludicrous than suggesting Modern should be more like Standard- seriously altering a format to make it like another seriously disenfranchises players. People play vintage because they like the format's rules, the same is true for Modern, Legacy and Standard. Hell I would play Standard if they made it faster and way, way less about Planeswalkers and especially combat. Now if you want to make a new format then fine, that will happen eventually, but at the moment the older formats are refuges for those who dislike the way Std is, or for those who like different approaches to MTG and wish to play different formats for their differing types of game.
Two Score, Minus Two or: A Stargate Tail
(Image by totallynotabrony)
I didn't say anything about expeditions, masterpieces, inventions, etc. I think those are a great idea. They encourage stores and people to open a great deal more boxes and increase the supply of cards a lot. Something extra special for collectors and those who want to bling out their decks. There are cheaper versions for those who don't want the bling version. Mythics are different. Mythics are often great playable cards and there is no cheaper version available. Common, Uncommon, Rare and expeditions/masterpieces/inventions/etc. are good enough.
Modern: URW Madcap Experiment
Pauper: MonoU Tempo Delver
My EDH Commanders:
Aminatou, The Fateshifter UBW
Azami, Lady of Scrolls U
Mikaeus, the Unhallowed B
Edric, Spymaster of Trest UG
Glissa, the Traitor BG
Arcum Dagsson U
eh... Narnam Renegade is making its rounds and there's a new deck idea out there using counters for a different strategy.
Everything dies to Bolt/Path/Push/Decay/Dismember/etc... People have to think outside the box. Mono white blink works. and few things are 4 toughness.
Over here with around 70-80 modern players who play every week in 3 different shops I have seen everything from Eggs to Lantern Control. My Bant Eldrazi deck dies to Blood Moon. Tron used to die to land destruction. Expertise cards are making an impact. With two cards being banned, the hyper aggro decks like Suicide Zoo and Infect took a hit. Storm no longer exists. People are going back to a Bloomless Titan build.
So, here begs the question: Why so Salty? Moden is fine for the moment, but it won't be if WotC doesn't support it properly. And this latest debacle has several Modern players here thinking that either they should quit, go to Legacy, or stop playing for a while.
My 720 Peasant Cube
Aye... Last week for instance, 30 people played Modern, they had 6 people for Standard FNM... 12 for Game Day Saturday, and Game Day Sunday was 4 people. A year ago, there'd be 20-30 people for Standard FNMs, Game Days would have 20+ people... And prereleases here have dropped off a lot. If you want to know what Store this is? War Torn Front. And yes, they're not a little place. Even Channel Fireball in Santa Clara has seen numbers dropping while Modern and Legacy interests run high. I'm going to Galaxy on Sunday for a Legacy tournament and there will be around 20 people who will show for it. Great Expectations in Sacramento has a huge Legacy and Modern scene... Grape Vine in Lodi and Stockton, standard is dead, hardly anyone drafts, and it's only Modern and EDH. Don't believe me? Call these places up. In a 100 mile radius from where I live I know if I pick up an EDH, Modern, or Legacy deck and take it to any of these stores, there will be a few people playing. Standard? Not so much. Even Frontier is beginning to take off at a majority of these places. And I know a few vintage players here and I even have a vintage deck myself....
However, you are right and wrong. Without support, the scenes might die off.
What WotC could do?
1. Offer better prize support, bring back player rewards and offer better FNM promos. Since Path to Exile there really hasn't been anything....
2. Print less product. I mean, look at how many things were printed last year alone... Oath, Shadows, EM, EMN, FTV, Conspiracy 2, Kaladesh, C2017, and that only names a few items. There's way too many things coming out and this year the first half of the year we have 6 product being released? This is too much by far. Just my personal opinion.
3. Stop banning/unbanning things just to shake up the format. When WotC did that, attendance at the FNM dropped to an all time low. While Git Probe was expected, and GGT was expected, the standard bans sets a precedent we haven't seen for a decade... And GGT, they banned it because they don't like dredge as a mechanic. Which sets an even bigger precedent than anything else. What WotC has done is show that they're going to make bans whenever they like now. I have never played Twin, but I had no issue with Twin... But it wasn't banned because of power level, it was banned to shake things up and it opened the floodgates for hyper aggro decks to cut loose for a while.
People are afraid to invest time, money, and energy in a game where people don't know what's going to happen next.
Or they're moving over to Legacy/Modern for competitiveness, or EDH for casual, or Frontier to play. The only safe format is EDH though...