Honestly, this feels very well thought-out, and close to an ideal B&R.

Standard is still finding its footing post-Foundations, and it’s a bit too soon to really ban anything there.

Pioneer, I could’ve been happy to see Cruise get banned, but that might be too much of a shakeup after last ban. Jegantha going away feels funny, because almost no decks truly relied on Jegantha as a win condition or anything, but the value of an extra card was just too much, and its Companion condition was just stifling creative builds. In general I’d like to see a bit more variety in midrange decks be viable there (I’m a Gruul Boats player, and that deck has basically vanished over the last year).

Modern needed these bans months ago. One Ring was just too homogenous. Basically every deck that could fit it wanted it. It stalled out games in a way that didn’t feel interactive. Boros Energy definitely needed a check, and I hope Amped Raptor is enough to bring it back down to earth. Could have just as easily been Ajani or Ocelot Pride or Galvanic Discharge, but time will tell. The unbannings seem relatively safe. Opal should open up some affinity decks. GSZ is a big maybe; I don’t know if Yawg would even want it right now. Looting is great. Twin is hilarious, but shouldn’t actually make an impact besides getting old Modern players back into the format.

Legacy needed those bans. The frog was scary good and flexible, and the Bauble just shut down too much in a format where free things are vital.

Overall, just an absolute Christmas gift of a B&R. Hoping to see this improve player turnout at local events.

I think they finally did something the players have been asking for. Jegantha correctly identified as a mistake. I’m glad they hit something in Modern’s Boros Energy w/ Raptor but they could have gone harder with Guide of Souls. That card is just silly and will always be the source of too much energy.

Frog and Bauble also great hits in Legacy, I think TOR should go in Legacy but I guess they will let that go a little longer too. Really can’t wait to see what new decks come out in Modern over the next few weeks.

We’re effectively sold out of LOTR product so time to ban the Ring!

One Ring and Amped Raptor were overdue but deserved. Jegantha doesn’t feel overpowered but the meta is probably better without it. Would have liked to see Bowmasters get hit too.

Those unbans though, they really went all out. I guess this is their apology for leaving Ring in the format for so long

#FreeTwin

My utter hatred of UB sets won’t let me get excited by this, but it’s honestly a fantastic update for Modern players.

Interesting they unbanned Green Sun’s Zenith but not Birthing Pod. Pod can access more creatures, obviously, but GSZ is ramp, can be cast sooner, and requires no creatures in play to get going. It will be interesting to see how this affects Chord of Calling and Collected Company strategies.

Mox Opal and Splinter Twin should have never been banned in the first place.

Modern needed this really badly. Goodbye The One Ring! You will not be missed.

I’m excited to see what happens to the format now. I’m glad they did something about energy, and not just removed problematic cards, but brought back some old fun cards that are unlikely to be problematic in the current format.