Wizards of the Coast has issued sweeping bans across multiple formats, taking aim at Standard’s most dominant deck. The November 10 update arrives after months of frustration from competitive MTG fans.
On November 10, Wizards of the Coast confirmed a sweeping list of card bans across formats, with Standard seeing the most dramatic shake-up. Effective immediately, Vivi Ornitier, Screaming Nemesis, and Proft’s Eidetic Memory are banned, dismantling the Viven Cauldron deck that has defined the metagame since the most recent rotation, as per a report by Polygon.
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Why was Standard hit so hard?
Players have been outspoken for months about the need for changes in Standard. The blue/red Viven Cauldron strategy has dominated competitive play in the Edge of Eternities Standard format, leaving little room for other decks to compete. Now, with Vivi, Screaming Nemesis, and Proft’s Eidetic Memory removed, Wizards is signaling a reset for the format, as per a report by Polygon.
ALSO READ: Sorry, Zohran — here’s why Mamdani can’t legally run for President of the United StatesVivi has been at the center of criticism, but many players also expected action on Proft’s Eidetic Memory, with its ability to snowball boards by triggering whenever a player draws more than one card per turn. Screaming Nemesis pushed aggressive red lists far beyond balance. Removing all three dramatically changes the landscape, as per a report by Polygon.
What formats felt the biggest impact?
Beyond Standard, Legacy was hit particularly hard. Entomb and Nadu, Winged Wisdom are now banned, marking a major blow to long-standing strategies. Entomb has been a cornerstone of the format’s “reanimator” decks for years, and the loss will reshape how Legacy graveyard decks operate — if they remain competitive at all. As for Nadu, few players will be surprised. As the update put it, “Nadu, well, is Nadu.”
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Pioneer sees Heartfire Hero banned, while Pauper players will find High Tide prohibited — a change some are more than happy with. “I won’t have to suffer through turn 4 wins and turns that last for 20 minutes anymore,” one player sentiment captured reflects. Meanwhile, formats like Modern, Vintage, and Timeless remain unchanged, as per a report by Polygon.
Arena formats also got attention: Historic pre-banned Force of Negation, Frantic Search, Mystical Tutor, Entomb, and Dark Depths due to Arena Powered Cube introductions. Brawl also sees Strip Mine, Mana Drain, Chrome Mox, and Ancient Tomb banned.
How are players reacting?
This move comes after months of pressure from both players and pros. Hall of Famer Luis Scott-Vargas warned back in August that Vivi’s dominance could lead to declining Standard participation, a concern that proved accurate. Combined with ongoing frustration tied to Universes Beyond sets, the community had been calling for decisive action, as per a report by Polygon.
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Now, with Standard’s top deck dismantled, many hope creativity and variety will return to the format. While some players also pushed for the ban of Into the Floodmaw, hitting Vivi and Proft’s Eidetic Memory alone is enough to reshape Standard and encourage fresh strategies to rise.
With the next announcement set for February 9, 2026, all eyes will be on how the meta adjusts, and whether this reset brings players back to the table.
FAQs
What MTG cards were banned in Standard?
Vivi Ornitier, Screaming Nemesis, and Proft’s Eidetic Memory.
When do the bans take effect?
All changes become effective November 10, 2025.
