Banned and Restricted Updates to Modern and Vintage

This Monday saw the release of a new Banned and Restricted update. While players were hoping for changes to multiple formats, only two were impacted this time. Violent Outburst was banned in Modern while Ponder was unrestricted in Vintage. In the case of Violent Outburst, this was done in an attempt to stop Rhinos and Living End players from casting it on opponents' turns where it would prove more beneficial to them. Cards like Ardent Plea have already seen a rise in price due to this as they're the next best option now. Ponder was unrestricted as a sort of "why not?" given how long it's been since the card was originally restricted and how much the format has changed in that time.

Wizards noted that Standard attendance is up substantially lately and that players are enjoying the format, so they felt no changes were necessary here. Pioneer was one numerous players were expecting, however this too did not see any bans. This was cited as there being strong decks with potentially problematic play patterns, but for the moment things seem to be in an okay spot. Legacy was also noted for providing a number of interesting decks with many utilizing new cards as well. Despite this, Orcish Bowmasters was cited as something Wizards is keeping an eye on, as well as ____ Goblin from Unfinity as per the Weekly MTG stream that further discussed the update (which you can watch in full here).

The next Banned and Restricted update will currently be on May 13, 2024, though as noted in the previous update, this date is more flexible should something change between then and now.

Outlaws of Thunder Junction Cards Leak

As is somewhat becoming a tradition with Magic releases over the past couple of years, a handful of cards from Outlaws of Thunder Junction have been leaked onto the internet. While CoolStuffInc.com does not condone these leaks and will not be sharing them as a result, I feel it's still noteworthy enough to mention that such a thing has happened. If you're looking for the latest previews for Outlaws of Thunder Junction and prefer to avoid such leaks, be wary and on alert when browsing around on the internet in the next week or so.

APAC Region OTJ Heist Season Announced

Coming up in the APAC region: OTJ HEIST SEASON, where players can head to their LGS to score exclusive rewards like badges, posters, and even amazing Magic-themed bolo ties!
WPN stores across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand are participating - check with your LGS for details! pic.twitter.com/419p0TDXCK

— PlayMTG (@PlayMTG) March 9, 2024

Wizards of the Coast announced late last week that the APAC region will be receiving some cool unique goodies to celebrate the upcoming Outlaws of Thunder Junction season. The above tweet notes playing in events, tracking progress and earning fun trinkets for their efforts. No article has been provided for more intricate details and readers in the APAC region are encouraged to check with their local shop for further details.

Cardmarket Ends Written Content

European card retailer Cardmarket announced this week that they were going to be sunsetting written content. The website noted that video as a medium was the way of the future and that this was where they were looking to put their attention going forward. Cardmarket joins a growing set of websites ending their written content in an ever-changing content market.

Decklist of the Week

Domain Rhinos | Modern | Oscar_Franco, 1st Place MTGO Modern Preliminary

• Creatures (12)
• 4 Scion of Draco
• 4 Shardless Agent
• 4 Subtlety

• Instants (7)
• 3 Fire // Ice
• 4 Force of Negation

• Sorceries (8)
• 4 Crashing Footfalls
• 4 Lorien Revealed

• Enchantments (12)
• 4 Ardent Plea
• 4 Leyline Binding
• 4 Leyline of the Guildpact

• Lands (21)
• 1 Forest
• 1 Island
• 1 Plains
• 1 Breeding Pool
• 1 Gemstone Caverns
• 1 Hallowed Fountain
• 1 Lush Portico
• 1 Meticulous Archive
• 1 Steam Vents
• 1 Temple Garden
• 1 Xander's Lounge
• 2 Arid Mesa
• 4 Flooded Strand
• 4 Misty Rainforest

• Sideboard (15)
• 1 Boseiju, Who Endures
• 1 Dismember
• 2 Commandeer
• 2 Endurance
• 2 Force of Vigor
• 2 Magus of the Moon
• 2 Tishana's Tidebinder
• 3 Mystical Dispute

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With the Banned and Restricted announcement, players wondered how Rhinos and Living End would continue to play out. They wouldn't have to wait long, though, as Domain Rhinos - a deck already around prior to the update - put up some numbers already in the first week off the back of Ardent Plea. This deck takes advantage not only of the usual Cascade silliness, but also the new combo play of Leyline of the Guildpact and Scion of Draco. This interaction enables you to play a turn two Scion of Draco with all the keywords if you start with a leyline in your opening hand. Whether this deck will continue to put up results or not will be interesting to keep an eye on going forward.

Paige Smith

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