Fall 2019 Rotation Guide

• INTRODUCTION TO ROTATION

• CHANGES TO EVENTS, REWARDS, AND COLLECTIONS

• INTRODUCTION TO HISTORIC

Introduction to Rotation

What is "rotation"?

Each year, four Magic: The Gathering sets are released and added to Standard. Once per year, when the fall set releases, the four oldest sets in Standard rotate out. This is known as "set rotation" (or rotation for short).

Which sets will be rotating out of Standard?

When the fall set releases, cards from the Ixalan, Rivals of Ixalan, Dominaria and Core Set 2019 sets will rotate out of Standard.

When will rotation happen on MTG Arena?

Rotation will happen when the fall set (code name: "Archery") releases on MTG Arena.

Does rotation mean there will be another reset on Magic: The Gathering Arena?

There are currently no plans to do another account reset on MTG Arena. Players will keep all the cards currently in their collection.

Will I still be able to play with rotated cards?

Yes - just not in any Standard constructed formats. We will support events and play queues that allow for players to use cards from rotated sets in a format we're calling Historic.

What about cards that are in rotating sets, but also appear in newer sets (aka "reprinted")?

Let's break out the rule book for this one: "A card may only be used in a particular format if the card is from a set that is legal in that format or has the same name as a card from a set that is legal in that format."

This means if a card from an older set shows up again in a Standard set, you can use any version of the card in Standard formats. A good example of this is Luminous Bonds. Since Luminous Bonds was a part of Rivals of Ixalan, Core Set 2019, and Guilds of Ravnica, you will still be able to use all versions of this card after rotation because cards from Guilds of Ravnica are still playable in Standard.

And since we have the rule book open, "A card’s name is always considered to be the English version of its name, regardless of printed language".

What is "Renewal?"

We'll be adding some special events and rewards for players to help "renew" their collection for the new Standard environment as well as to show our appreciation for all of your support. We expect to have more information on this system sometime in August!

Changes to Events, Rewards, and Collections

Rotation is always an exciting time for Magic: The Gathering players and we want to make sure that you're ready to try out some new or updated decks as we explore a new meta. As part of this, there are some changes we'll be making with the Core Set 2020 game update to further help players with their rotation readiness:

:loudspeaker: Effective July 2nd, 2019

Events

• We will no longer be scheduling Limited events (Drafts, Sealed) for sets rotating out of Standard this fall.
• Drafts and Sealed events use the following sets leading up to rotation: Guilds of Ravnica, Ravnica Allegiance, War of the Spark, Core Set 2020.

Individual Card Rewards (ICRs)

• Players will no longer receive ICRs from sets rotating out of Standard this fall.
• ICRs will reward cards from the following sets leading up to rotation: Guilds of Ravnica, Ravnica Allegiance, War of the Spark, Core Set 2020.

Wildcard Redemption

• You will still be able to use Wildcards to craft cards from sets that are rotating out of Standard this fall.
• We have added additional in-game messaging to let players know if a card is currently planned to rotate out of Standard this fall. Please Note: This does not take into consideration any cards that may appear again in upcoming sets.
• The first time you go to craft a card from that will be rotating out of Standard, you will receive an additional confirmation message.

Booster Packs

• Packs for rotating sets are also still available for purchase in the store.
• We have added additional in-game messaging to let players know if a set will be rotating out of Standard this fall.
• The first time you go to purchase a booster pack from a set that will be rotating out of Standard, you will receive an additional confirmation message.

New Player Experience

• The tutorial and Account Mastery Tree have been updated to reward new decks and card styles.
• For existing players (players who created their accounts prior to July 2nd, 2019): We currently intended to grant all players these updated decks by the time rotation happens so everyone will have access to decks that are Standard legal. There's some tech we need to implement first to make this happen, but we're working on it!

Introduction to Historic

What is Historic?

"Historic" is what we're calling MTG Arena's non-rotating format. Events or play queues that are Historic will allow for players to use cards from any set currently available on MTG Arena.

Will Historic be an "official" Magic: The Gathering format?

Currently, we only plan to support Historic play on MTG Arena.

Will the Historic play be best-of-one, or best-of-three?

Both!

Outside of Play, will any other events or formats be Historic?

Currently, we intend for most of our casual events (Pauper, Singleton, Momir) to support Historic play.

Will Historic be ranked?

Historic play will not be ranked, and there are currently no plans for it to be a ranked format.

Can I play a Standard deck in the Historic queue?

Yep - as long as the card isn't specifically banned in Historic play.

... So Historic will have it's own "Banned and Restricted" list?

Correct.

Will I receive Historic cards from individual card rewards (ICRs)?

Nope. With the Core Set 2020 game update, we will be removing the soon-to-be rotating sets from individual card rewards as well. This means after July 2nd, you will no longer receive cards for Ixalan, Rivals of Ixalan, Dominaria and Core Set 2019 when you receive an ICR.

Will the Kaladesh and Amonkhet blocks be returning to MTG Arena?

Not at this time. While we are still interested in finding the right way to bring theses sets back to MTG Arena, we're holding off for now. We made this decision because the current Standard meta is pretty healthy right now, so we hope this will naturally lead into a healthy non-rotating format as well. As more sets are released and the historic meta develops, we'll continue to evaluate when will be the right time add these sets for Historic play. They'll be back one day, just... not right now.

What about other older sets?

Maybe one day, but there are currently no plans to add older sets to MTG Arena. While it's certainly the dream, it's an endeavor that would take years to implement.

What about ?

We will have more information about Historic play as we get closer to the fall set release. If there is a particular question that this guide doesn't answer, be sure to let us know!