In recent years, Magic: The Gathering fans have criticized the game’s Standard Constructed format for balance issues, lack of diversity in the meta, and banned cards in the format. Some fans believe that Wizards of the Coast, Hasbro’s publisher of the card game, has been focused more on designing cards intended for other Constructed formats like Commander and Modern in each premiere set. But is Standard really becoming less and less of a focus in recent sets? Magic head designer Mark Rosewater recently provided an answer.
Mark Rosewater’s thoughts on Standard format
“I believe in 2020 more games of Standard were played than any other established format,” Rosewater said on his Blogatog as a response to a fan’s question about this concern. “This is due to two factors – one, the popularity of Magic: The Gathering Arena and two, how short the games are in comparisons to other formats. So, this idea that no Standard is being played is simply false. That means, of course, that we will continue to spend time and energy making Standard the best format it can be.”
It looks like more players prefer to play other Constructed MTG formats over Standard in recent years, and it’s easy to see why some people think that the designers at WotC have been focused on making cards with a focus on other formats. I used to play a lot of Standard back in Kaladesh and Amonkhet days, but I’ve been more focused on playing more Historic and Booster Draft games lately. I think Standard has become boring in recent years because of the lack of diverse and viable strategies that add fun to the game.
Related: Why Standard Will Be Better Without Throne of Eldraine
What are your thoughts about the current Standard format? Do you think Wizards should put more focus on Standard? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
