Rotating format
Rotating format is the name given to a tournament format which only allows cards from a selected number of expansions which changes over time.[1] Rotating formats include Standard and Alchemy.
History
Extended
Extended was a rotating format originating in July 1997 and retired in August 2013 with the creation of Modern.
Set rotation
Set rotation (or rotation) used to be based on blocks, when sets were released as part of a block structure. Each year, a previous block and a corresponding core set would rotate out. Some historical exceptions include:
- Coldsnap was pegged to Time Spiral block for rotation (however, due to regulation changes in Extended, Coldsnap rotated out earlier than Time Spiral block instead of rotating out together). 2006 did not have a Core Set.
- The two mini-blocks Lorwyn and Shadowmoor counted as one block, also due to no core set.
- The three sets of Tarkir block block were split into two separated blocks for rotation, where Khans of Tarkir and Fate Reforged counted as one block, and Dragons of Tarkir (pegged with Magic Origins) counted as another. This split rotation occurred in 2016.
- Transitioning into the three-year Standard plan, 2023 did not have a rotation, as Midnight Hunt, Crimson Vow, Neon Dynasty and New Capenna gained an additional year.
The unusual block splitting of Tarkir block was during an experimental change in rotation where half as many sets (two-set blocks) would leave twice as frequently.[2][1] This only happened once, with the release of Shadows over Innistrad.
Due to negative reception, Wizards returned to the yearly rotation, where the two oldest blocks rotated.[3] After the introduction of the Three-and-One Model, the rotation returned to the same cycle, but now defined as the four oldest sets in Standard rotating out when the new fall set releases.[4]
It was announced for Wilds of Eldraine that Standard sets would rotate out using a three-year cadence rather than two. This extended the lifetime of the sets from the 2021-2022 cycle. [5]
Beginning with Phyrexia: All Will Be One, format legality is updated as of prerelease dates, including format rotation.
Magic Foundations was introduced in 2024 as a set with a separate rotation schedule as regular expansions, and will be legal for five years and potentially longer.
Beginning in 2027, set rotation will take place with the start of the calendar year instead of with the Fall set release.[6]
Banned lists
Cards may also be banned within rotating formats.
References
- ↑ a b Maria Bartholdi (March 4, 2016). "Rotation". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2020-11-08.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (2014 August 25). "Metamorphosis". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2017-12-03.
- ↑ Aaron Forsythe (2016 October 19). "Revisiting Standard Rotation". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2017-02-27.
- ↑ MTG Arena Admin (June 27, 2019). "Rotation Guide - Intro to Rotation, Upcoming Changes, and Historic Play". Mtgarena.com.
- ↑ Aaron Forsythe (2023 May 07). "Revitalizing Standard". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Magic: The Gathering (October 25, 2024). "Mark has some big news when it comes to the future of set rotation in Magic.". Twitter.