Cards that target always include the specific English word target in the Oracle text, or in specific rules pertaining to them, such as Equip and Aura. If it doesn't used that specific word, it doesn't target.
Ethersworn Canonist is just a static condition, and doesn't have to be on the field when the first spell is cast to still be in effect. If a spell was cast, then Canonists restriction is simply "true" and immediately creates the restriction.
You could just as well sort your deck alphabetically, as long as you sufficiently shuffle it afterward. There isn't any rule that limits what you can do before shuffling, because it would be too difficult (and even controversial) to try to dictate what you can and cannot do before shuffling. As long as the shuffling itself is considered sufficient, then it doesn't matter.
Besides, if your opponent suspects some funny business going on (but not so clear that they could point it out to a judge), they can shuffle your deck too. That ought to remove any doubts that the shuffling has been fair.
I'm surprised this hasn't been addressed. If you suspect ANYTHING, the last thing you want to do is remove all evidence. If you suspect ANYTHING, you call a judge over. They can look at the cards, and determine if anything is suspicious about the order of the cards, such as having sideboard cards packed together in specific parts of the deck, like the middle and the top.
The Mirror only effects game loss that would happen from the game state (0 life, Poison, "You win" effects). Since Conceding and Judge action is outside of the actual game, it can't effect them.
I tried the Dictate, and found that you need a lot of life gain to beat aggro decks. When they draw extra cards, they draw cards that get around the entire game plan. Sure, they never deal combat damage again, but giving them more Magma Jet and more Lightning Strike creates a unique game state that is too dangerous to even allow in Game 2 (Skull Crack). Same thing happens with Black Devotion, where they still gain tangible advantages from it that are difficult to answer (Merchant). It's a good card, but sometimes you get weird ***** going on.
That's why I kind of like some consistent life gain that can't easily be answered, like Bow of Nylea.
With the spoiler released, we can discuss new cards finally. Although there are a lot of new options, the only card that stands out is Nyx-Fleece Ram. It has an easy to meet cost, and is large enough to soak up a lot of the formats creatures, and heals anything that might get through. Against aggressive decks, it adds to Fogs you cast, making it harder to meet lethal damage. Instead of knocking you below ten and threatening you for the rest of the game, you can just build back up, while also preventing that low life in the first place.
I don't think it would because it seems like it targets the players and not the creatures
A spell only targets when it explicitly uses the word "target". Killing Wave does not target anything, not the creatures, not the players, because it does not use the word "target". This is a hard rule.
(The only exception to this are aura spells which, when on the stack, target implicitly even though the word doesn't appear on the card.)
This is true and not true. Aura spells do target, and it doesn't say so on the card, because it is buried in the reminder text. There are cards with keyword like abilities that will not say target, but they will still target, because the word is buried in the reminder text, which will not always appear on the card.
That's why sometimes it is important to really know the keywords, so you will know if they target or not. But for spells and abilities that are not keyworded such as the ones mentioned, you will know if they target or not because they will either explicitly say target. If they don't say it, they don't do it.
Reminder text has no rules meaning. It it just that: a reminder. It is in no way a complete description of the specific rules related to the cards effects. The only rules that do matter are the official, Comprehensive Rules, which fully list and explain the mechanics of things like Aura's and Bestow.
It's a matter of consistency. Blustersquall is just a Fog, but it can always be useful. Aetherize can set back your opponent, and act like a Fog and a half, but your opponent can take hideous advantage of it,.
702.16b A permanent or player with protection can’t be targeted by spells with the stated quality and can’t be targeted by abilities from a source with the stated quality.
702.16c A permanent or player with protection can’t be enchanted by Auras that have the stated quality. Such Auras attached to the permanent or player with protection will be put into their owners’ graveyards as a state-based action. (See rule 704, "State-Based Actions.")
702.16d A permanent with protection can’t be equipped by Equipment that have the stated quality or fortified by Fortifications that have the stated quality. Such Equipment or Fortifications become unattached from that permanent as a state-based action, but remain on the battlefield. (See rule 704, "State-Based Actions.")
702.16e Any damage that would be dealt by sources that have the stated quality to a permanent or player with protection is prevented.
702.16f Attacking creatures with protection can’t be blocked by creatures that have the stated quality.
The formula for figuring the cost a spell is "Cost/Alternate + Additions - Subtractions, then Cost Setters". Unless they updated the ruling with Trinisphere.
Although Platinum Angel allows you to go to negative life, it doesn't effect using life to pay a cost.
118.4. If a cost or effect allows a player to pay an amount of life greater than 0, the player may do so only if his or her life total is greater than or equal to the amount of the payment. If a player pays life, the payment is subtracted from his or her life total; in other words, the player loses that much life. (Players can always pay 0 life.)
A continuous effect from a permanent becomes true the moment it hits the battlefield. Since Wheel of Sun and Moon is on the field when Enduring Ideal finishes resolving, it's effect is already applying.
I'm surprised this hasn't been addressed. If you suspect ANYTHING, the last thing you want to do is remove all evidence. If you suspect ANYTHING, you call a judge over. They can look at the cards, and determine if anything is suspicious about the order of the cards, such as having sideboard cards packed together in specific parts of the deck, like the middle and the top.
That's why I kind of like some consistent life gain that can't easily be answered, like Bow of Nylea.
Reminder text has no rules meaning. It it just that: a reminder. It is in no way a complete description of the specific rules related to the cards effects. The only rules that do matter are the official, Comprehensive Rules, which fully list and explain the mechanics of things like Aura's and Bestow.
Or what the rules say they do. Mainly Protection, Auras, and Equipment all function in specific ways written in the rules.
702.16b A permanent or player with protection can’t be targeted by spells with the stated quality and can’t be targeted by abilities from a source with the stated quality.
702.16c A permanent or player with protection can’t be enchanted by Auras that have the stated quality. Such Auras attached to the permanent or player with protection will be put into their owners’ graveyards as a state-based action. (See rule 704, "State-Based Actions.")
702.16d A permanent with protection can’t be equipped by Equipment that have the stated quality or fortified by Fortifications that have the stated quality. Such Equipment or Fortifications become unattached from that permanent as a state-based action, but remain on the battlefield. (See rule 704, "State-Based Actions.")
702.16e Any damage that would be dealt by sources that have the stated quality to a permanent or player with protection is prevented.
702.16f Attacking creatures with protection can’t be blocked by creatures that have the stated quality.
118.4. If a cost or effect allows a player to pay an amount of life greater than 0, the player may do so only if his or her life total is greater than or equal to the amount of the payment. If a player pays life, the payment is subtracted from his or her life total; in other words, the player loses that much life. (Players can always pay 0 life.)